Kaieteur News

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January 23, 2013 - Vol. 5 No. 03 Price $80

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

One dead, eight missing

Boats collide in Mazaruni River

Trio charged with

GRA, CJIA beefing up security

$10M Lethem heist/murder Terrisha Lovell

- pledge to clamp down on “suitcase traders”

New US$80,000 baggage scanner Calvin King

Alvin Kissoon

Health Minister flip-flops on $90M New GPC payments

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

One dead, eight missing after boats collide in Mazaruni River

Coast Guard ranks have recovered the body of one man and are searching for eight more people, who are feared dead, following a twoboat collision in the Mazaruni River at around 12:30 hrs yesterday.

The accident, which took place in the vicinity of Crab Falls, 25 miles upstream from Bartica, has also left several persons nursing injuries at the Bartica Hospital, a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Kaieteur News understands that the body of a man identified as Jermaine Calistro, 24, (reportedly of Parika, Essequibo, and Lethem) was found trapped in the stern of one of the vessels at around 18:30 hrs.

The vessel was reportedly piloted by a Captain Thomas, who is one of the survivors.

Kaieteur News understands that a sailor from Thomas’ boat and a Brazilian woman are also among the survivors.

While details about the tragedy are sketchy, Kaieteur News was told that the vessels collided at what one source described as a ‘blind turn’ near Crab Falls.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, the Maritime Administration Department officials (MARAD), and other Government officials travelled to the location late yesterday to assess the situation.

Minister Benn told GINA that two boats, one carrying 12 persons and the other carrying nine, collided at around 12:30 hrs.

Only five persons, three men and two women, were immediately accounted for and they were treated at the Bartica Hospital for minor injuries and sent away.

Police in a press statement late yesterday evening said that “Investigations are being conducted into a river mishap that occurred at about 12:30 hours yesterday in the Mazaruni River where two boats are reported to have collided. One boat had 12 persons and the other nine.

A number of persons are unaccounted for.”

And the Guyana Defence Force in another statement said that upon the request of the Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, it has deployed

Coast Guard and Infantry troops “to aid in the search for nine persons, who are reportedly missing, after being involved in a boating accident which occurred today (yesterday) in the Mazaruni.

Meanwhile, personnel of the GDF Air Corps are on standby and will be incorporated as is necessary.”

A source in the area told this newspaper last night that the boat with the 12 passengers which was on its way out from the interior, was fitted with two 75 horsepower engines, while the other boat, which was taking in cargo and nine persons, was powered by a 200HP outboard engine.

The source said that the boat with the 200HP engine and captained by a man called ‘Dube’ slammed into the other boat, splitting it in two.

This is the second river tragedy that has resulted in the loss of multiple lives in a little over a month.

On December 18, last, six people including three children perished in the Pomeroon River under similar

circumstances.

On that fateful night, a speedboat owned by the Region Two administration struck the small vessel in which the victims were travelling.

Eyewitnesses said that

the Region Two vessel, which was occupied by several regional officials, was heading out of Siriki, in the Upper Pomeroon, when it “rode over” a smaller boat, which then crashed into a large mangrove swamp.

Those who perished were boat captain Harinarine Bhagwandin, 42; Velda Rodrigues, 50; Shawn Anthony, 14; Rajkumar Singh, 14 and his sister Amerieta Singh, 10; and Vincent Singh, 42.

Dolphin student, 13, stabbed by schoolmate

The injured teen in the Male Surgical ward An argument between two Dolphin Secondary School students yesterday took an ugly turn, with one of them now nursing a stab wound to the left abdomen, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Shane Hackett, 13, of 7 Public Road, La Penitence, was stabbed just about lunch time yesterday.

According to information received, the stabbing may have stemmed from an altercation the two teenagers were involved in sometime last week.

When Kaieteur News arrived at the hospital yesterday, the 13-year-old second former was in the

Accident and Emergency Unit being prepared for surgery.

He was subsequently treated and admitted to the Male Surgical ward. His condition is being closely monitored. “They say that the scissors punctured his lungs and they were draining the excess blood out,” said Hackett’s aunt, Donna, told this newspaper.

The woman said she was told that her nephew was proceeding to purchase lunch when his attacker confronted him, and they had a scramble.

“He push Shane and he (Shane) pushed him back and walked away and this other guy ran behind him and

Shane Hackett pulled out the scissors and stabbed him to his abdomen,” the aunt claimed.

Hackett’s alleged attacker was reportedly handed over by an aunt to the police.

Guyanese, Jamaican to face court for murder of US couple PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten (AP) — A trial date has been set for three suspects accused of killing a couple from South Carolina who lived in the Caribbean island of St Maarten.

A judge said yesterday that the trial will begin April 9, with a verdict likely in May.

Michael and Thelma King of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, were found stabbed to death in their beachfront apartment in September.

Police later arrested a Jamaican security guard, along with a 17-year-old from St Maarten and a 20-year-old from Guyana.

Attorneys for the two younger suspects have requested a mental evaluation ahead of the trial.

Prosecutors also say they are awaiting forensic evidence including DNA test results.

A procedural hearing will be held on February 19 to address those issues.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

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Kaieteur News

Comment Health Minister flip-flops on Why is Dr. Ramsammy still involved?

F

ormer Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, and now Minister of Agriculture could have caused Guyana to repay millions of dollars to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

When Guyana began reporting on its AIDS rate, Dr Ramsammy told the world that Guyana was next to Haiti in terms of a high rate in the Caribbean. He placed Guyana’s AIDS rate at four per cent.

Given this reported rate, the managers of the PEPFAR fund immediately poured money into Guyana because they considered Guyana to be at a critical stage. Guyana alone enjoyed funding to the tune of US$4 million per annum.

The Americans had also recognized that Guyanese were heading to the United States in droves, so the heightened PEPFAR funding was part of efforts by the United States to help itself. The truth was that Guyana’s AIDS rate was less than two per cent at the time.

Investigations by the various non-governmental agencies, and by the United States itself, uncovered the truth. To his credit, Dr Ramsammy then said that Guyana had no way of really ascertaining the rate of infection, hence the reported high rate. The Americans have since debunked this contention.

Already, in one African country the managers of the AIDS fund have withheld further funding until the millions have been repaid to the fund.

Funding has also been halted to Guyana, but the reason given is that the money is being shared around the Caribbean. With the cut in funding, Guyana saw the closure of many programmes, among them Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention Programme (GHARP), GPlus and the Global Fund Programmes.

But before all this happened, Dr Ramsammy was arranging for the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation to enjoy the windfall. The New GPC was positioned to produce anti-retroviral drugs. The company brought the raw materials from India and set about producing what should have been the drugs for use by people in Guyana afflicted by AIDS. The drugs were subjected to rigorous testing and at every level the Government Analyst Food and Drugs Department found problems with quality control. When it seemed that the drugs would not pass muster, Dr Ramsammy ordered head of the Government Analyst Food and Drug department, Marilyn Collins, to approve the drugs produced by New GPC. The threat was so real that Ms Collins even refused to have anything more to do with the programme.

Meanwhile New GPC sent the drugs to laboratories in Canada and Jamaica for testing, even as Guyana was preparing to sell the anti retroviral drugs throughout the Caribbean.

The idea never got off the ground. When New GPC halted the attempts to produce the AIDS drugs, Dr Ramsammy never told the nation. Neither did he offer a reason.

Today he continues to rush to the defence of New GPC, which has been a cash cow for some.

$90M New GPC payments

T

he Ministry of Health says that it has ceased paying the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) tens of millions of dollars for the storing drugs at one of its bonds.

New GPC’s head Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, time and again, had said that his company was providing free storage.

No mention was made of the $1.5M monthly rent until it was raised in the Parliamentary committee.

Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who now has nothing to do with the Ministry of Health and with the Georgetown Public Hospital, has joined the attacks. He went on the television station owned by Ramroop to talk about free storage.

Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran also claimed that there was no rent paid, then he flip-flopped on the issue.

“Neither the government nor the Health Ministry has ever paid any rental fees for the storage of medicines (at the New GPC Bond).”

In the same breath he said, “Not wanting to lose the facility that we had, and in view of the need to continue storing and managing medication for Guyanese patients, the Guyana Government decided to accelerate the construction (of the Government bond) and we then had to take over the payment on monthly rents.”

Ramroop’s own newspaper noted, “The rent per month was just over $1 million and although the ministry had continued to utilize space at the Farm location after it took over, payments were still outstanding.”

Dr. Ramsaran then noted, “I am told that we now have complaints from the New GPC that we have not paid

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran

rent. We have been squatting without being good paymasters. I know that the Health Ministry and the Guyana Government sometimes owe other people and we need to put that in order.”

The Health Ministry now has a brand new Materials Management Unit (MMU) built for almost $500M, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

However, some amount of pharmaceuticals for the

local hospitals are still being stored at the New GPC bond at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt - the former Sanata Textiles complex, Ramsaran has said.

The storage of drugs purchased by government has been the focus of Members of Parliament (MPs) over the past week after health officials disclosed that almost $100M was paid to New GPC for the use of a bond at Farm, East Bank Demerara between late 2007 and December 2012.

New GPC’s owner, Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop MPs were curious to know how the company which has been controversially awarded billions of dollars on drugs contracts for years could also be paid $1.5M monthly for storing it.

The disclosures have caused the owners of New GPC, who also control the Guyana Times, and two Government Ministers, to attack private media houses which have reported on the (continued on page 11)

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Obama’s Charge on Environment In modern politics, meaning politics after the French Revolution of 1889, it becomes useful to distinguish between two tendencies among its practitioners: one to preserve the status quo and the other to initiate change. One must not automatically assume that the former group, usually called ‘conservatives’, are necessarily backward. They have been proven right in showing that ‘change’ does not automatically mean ‘progress’ and in fact can actually lead to regression.

The others, dubbed ‘liberal’ or ‘progressive’, are much more sanguine about change: ‘nothing ventured; nothing gained’ appears to be their motto. In President Obama’s inauguration speech, he located himself most solidly and evidently, unapologetically, in this camp. In his first term he had attempted to temper his liberal approach as he reached across the aisle to find common ground with his conservative opponents, the Republicans, to confront the most serious economic crisis confronting their country since the great depression of the 1930s.

But he ended up pleasing neither those in his Democratic party, who felt he was weaselling out from his commitments to the party’s ideology, nor his opponents who believed he was not going far enough in their direction. He has now made a clarion call for a liberal agenda in his last four years at the helm of what is still the only superpower standing. The rest of the world will obviously be affected by the programmes he will be initiating if he keeps to his rhetoric.

The most dramatic change could come in the moribund climate change agenda. In his speech, Obama vowed to “respond to the threat of climate change,” warning that “failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.” The most positive endorsement of climate change action from his inaugural podium in front of the Capitol was cheered by environmentalists who felt the issue got short shrift during Obama’s presidential campaign last year. The issue never arose during three presidential debates and got scant attention on the campaign trail.

Obama pitched some of his comments directly at climate change sceptics, subtly invoking the memory of the super-storm Sandy that damaged the Northeast last October. “Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science,” Obama said, “but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms.”

While Obama did not offer details of his environmental plans in a speech dedicated towards giving the nation a sense of direction for the next four years, he emphasized the importance of America striving toward “sustainable energy sources,” such as wind and solar power that generate few heat-trapping emissions blamed for climate change.

Casting investment in clean energy technology as an economic solution for the nation, as well as an environmental one, he seemed to be invoking his ‘Sputnik moment” comment in his previous inaugural speech. He was alluding then to the need for the US to make massive investments in one area of national endeavour that would pull the rest of the country along in its wake. “The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult,” Obama said. “But America cannot resist this transition. We must lead it.”

The commitment to action on the issue of Climate Change fits quintessentially within a progressive agenda. Normally progressives would be emphasising changes needed in the social agenda that are identified as stifling progress. Obama has not been reticent on these – witness his challenges on gay rights; jobs; poverty alleviation and the economy etc.

But the “Climate Change” agenda recognises that some aspects of our physical environment are also adversely affected by human activity – and that what has been caused by humans can be reversed by humans. With President Obama’s public commitment and without his need to worry about seeking another term, it should be easier for him to work much more sedulously towards a successor to the Kyoto Protocol.

For us in Guyana, a new Protocol would cover funding for REDD+ commitments made by Guyana as well as for mitigation efforts necessary to deal with rising sea levels.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

The disregard shown by a new immigrant DEAR EDITOR, The recent issue arising out of an alleged assault upon a female child by a Chinese business couple highlights an open and seeping sore that infects the body of our nation. And despite the fact that it is visible to anyone who cares to look, those charged with nursing and attending the national body choose to ignore it. In fact, they openly seem to be contributing to the widening of the fissure.

The Constitution of Guyana does not place any individual or group below or above others in its dispensations. In this context it behooves those of us who with eyes wide open pay attention to what goes on in Guyana, to analyze, document and give public expression when the symptoms attendant to the ailment manifests itself in public view.

We have had a sociological paradigm created in our land that suggests that certain segments of our populations are not entitled to the full rights of citizenship; that they can be summarily dealt with by anyone who harbours a suspicion, realistic or not, that they might have offended against the law or establishmentarian power structure and its affiliates.

About the most blatant evidence of that reality is the disdain with which incident after incident of vigilante killings was greeted by officialdom.

The fact that many citizens at that time, including Attorneys at Law who ought to have known better, and prominent business persons,

felt no ethical or moral reservations about arguing that these killings were justified or acceptable, suggest that I am not off track with my conclusions in this respect.

I cannot conceive of any situation in which a female child whose religious faith endorses a mode of attire that virtually covers the entire body could be beaten and stripped in public, and would not have produced a groundswell of protestations from other members of her faith. This does not jive with what we have been seeing in Guyana and this world today.

Yet at a time when there were arguments in the Independent dailies by Clerics that supposedly share the same faith of this young female, that conservative attire was conducive to a decrease in the violence of rape, there were no public reactions from them over this crass and indecent violation.

So I had to ask my self ‘why’?

I had to ask myself why were they not offended?

But then I realize that they were immune from such concerns because of who the female was. The fact that she shared their faith was of less significance for them, than the fact of who she was.

I have a great deal of regard for the ancient Chinese culture with its sophisticated understanding of human values and worth.

The great Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “...By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by

experience, which is the bitterest...”

It would seem to me that many new immigrants to our nation are being impelled by known circumstances to gain wisdom and understanding of how Guyana is culturally structured by imitating establishmentarian behaviors and attitudes they observe on arrival.

Why else would any new immigrant to a nation construe that it was ok to beat and strip a female child in public view because they suspect she might have stolen something? Why else would they respond to my protesting their attitude with the assertion that I should go back to Africa. Imagine, me a descendant of virtually every group that suffered oppression in Guyana going back centuries, being commanded to go back to Africa by someone who came here recently.

I refuse to judge an entire group by the odious conduct and attitude of a few. And it is in this context that I will

appeal to the Chinese community to treat every citizen of Guyana in a manner that is consistent with their expectations if they were back in their original countries, and they were in the position of the Guyanese.

Our nation of Guyana is caught up with strife that has endured for over five decades in which they had no role. The only role they should seek to involve themselves in today as new citizens, is that of the healer, that of the peace maker, that of the example that diverse human cultures can exist in harmony within a single geography.

If they believe in the wisdom of the wise Confucius then apply his observation that “...”In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of...” to the situation in Guyana, and join in removing it from those distinctions.

Mark A. Benschop

MR. CHETRAM SINGH WAS NOT ALONE DEAR EDITOR, I refer to a letter written

by Mr. W.G. Boston in your Friday, 18th January, 2013 edition captioned “Goodbye to the Cricket Killers”.

In that letter, Mr. Boston posited among other things that Mr. Chetram Singh, after 20 years, uncaringly handed over Guyana’s cricket to a cabal of cricketing non entities, who hijacked our cricket.

Mr. Boston must be aware of the fact that Mr. Singh could not have handed over the cricket unless he had possession and control of it.

He should therefore ask himself, who are the people who assisted Mr. Singh in obtaining this control over the past 20 years, and in particular in 2009.

The answer may be truly instructive.

K.Beaton

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Food-choking requires prompt action DEAR EDITOR, Across North America close to 4000 perfectly healthy people die annually from choking on food. In fact, food-choking kills more people than firearms or airplane accidents. Often the victim, anxious to avoid an embarrassing scene, runs alone to the bathroom, where he is later discovered, dead.

His companions often think their friend suffered a heart attack.

Don’t be deceived, their friend died because he could not breathe. What, then, should you do when confronted by a choking victim?

The first problem is recognition. Food-choking is a life threatening medical emergency that is fatal in minutes unless action is taken. Instinctively, a victim will clutch his throat--a universal symbol of choking.

A person with food stuck in his windpipe will not be able to talk.

Before doing anything, simply ask the person to speak. If there’s a response, do nothing further except stay with the person and encourage coughing as a way of independently

clearing the airway.

When the choking has worsened to the point where the person can no longer speak, you should tell him/her that you understand what’s happening and that you are going to help.

Get behind the person and give three or four firm blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

This may dislodge the obstruction; check by asking the person to speak. I f no response you must proceed with a simple but effective procedure known as the “Heimlich Maneuver”.

Stand behind and encircle the person with your arms.

Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side over the part of the belly, just below the breast bone.

Place your free hand over your fist; then give three or four sharp, hard squeezes, upward and back.

Again check whether you have been successful by asking the person to speak; if silence, then repeat the back blows, followed by the abdominal thrusts.

If the victim is too big for you to get your arms around, or is pregnant, the technique needs to be altered slightly.

Instead of putting your fist over the upper part of the belly, place it over the lower third of the breast bone. If sitting instead of sanding, simply crouch behind and put your arms around the person who’s in the chair.

What if the person becomes unconscious and has fallen to the floor?

The lifesaving process remains very much the same.

Kneel beside and roll the person toward you and onto his back. Give four vigorous thrusts and hopefully the food will pop out.

Finally, scoop out the victim’s mouth with your finger to remove any food which may have been dislodged. Can you do it yourself?

Certainly! There are many people who have successfully saved their own lives by putting their fist over the upper part of their bellies, and then compressing their abdomens by leaning forward forcibly over a firm object such as the back of a chair or edge of a table.

George .L. Munroe Executive Member Canadian College of Health Service Executives

The Chief Justice and Chancellor should resign DEAR EDITOR, It is my strong belief that the (acting) Chief Justice Ian Chang and the (acting) Chancellor Carl Singh should resign with immediate effect unless they are confirmed to their respective positions.

This acting debacle has gone on for too long.

I would like to ask both learned men a simple question, “Why? Why is it that after so many years of “acting” you are still in this most untenable situation?

What’s in it for you? Fame, fortune, (in)famy?

Have you not made enough income from your employment over these long “acting” years?

Are you so obsessed with power and or privileged that you have to stoop to this level of immoral behaviour in your acceptance of this judicial stalemate or conversely, political grandstanding?

I know you will want to argue that the government and opposition have to agree after consultations but it is apparent that there will not be any agreement and so the ball is in your court to compel

them to agree, come what may, by offering to resign. It will be a blow to our judiciary but who is to be blamed? Not the two of you!

I fail to comprehend how esteemed individuals like you both could function under this “acting cloud”.

Are you aware of the actions of the lawyers and judges in Sri Lanka who are in solidarity with the Chief Justice of that country who was relieved of her post for alleged corruption? I know that the two situations are different but there is a silver lining.

Sirs, I want you to visualize the scenario of what would happen in Guyana if all the justices offered to resign en bloc unless the government and opposition come to a hasty agreement to confirm the senior officials that dispense justice in our dear land.

It is so repugnant I feel like

throwing up! Were you to take this course of action I can see only two things happening as a result: You are both confirmed or you are both replaced by other “actors” and a continuation of this façade.

If the former happens then good for you, if the latter, then you should console yourself that you have saved whatever little judicial integrity is left in your bodies and enjoy retirement.

Henceforth, I am calling for the Chancellor to summon all the justices and take action.

Confirmation delayed, is justice denied!

I say go for it! Surely such action may be considered bullying or even prejudicial, but what would you call your non-confirmation – I say “eye-pass”. Is such action illegal or immoral? I think not.

Res judicata!

Clyde Pestano (Canada)

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Has Freddie misled readers on wife’s termination?

DEAR EDITOR, In his column titled “An extraordinarily unbelievable year for Guyana” (KN Jan 4), Mr. Kissoon accused the government of terminating his employment and firing his wife from her government’s job. Over the years, I supported Mr. Kissoon in several of his personal grouses and allegations against the government only to learn afterwards he was misleading (and at times outright dishonest) in his assertions and claims.

I sympathized with and

wrote against the termination of Kissoon’s contract at UG. I condemned the physical (the slap or punch) he suffered as well as the dumping of faeces on his head. And when the drain at the side of his house was not cleaned of thick vegetation, the theft of library books at UG and in Canada, etc., etc., I supported Freddie.

Having determined that many of Kissoon’s previous claims have been embellished and or are not accurate, and given that I went out on a limb to defend or support him against unverified allegations

he leveled against the government, I decided to carry out an investigation to determine the veracity of his accusation that the government fired his wife from her employment at Go Invest.

Many who know Freddie, say he tells “nuff, nuff lies” (nah so Fred).

Some described him as a pathological liar and are unable to explain why he lies or exaggerates or why he can’t come straight.

Mr. Kissoon accused the government of firing his wife

(and he made that allegation on numerous occasions in columns). I sought the assistance of several credible individuals, including Ministers, and other officials and even condemned them for “firing” Freddie’s wife.

They vehemently denied the allegation.

I was able to obtain the following information: Mrs. Kissoon was not fired from her job and such accusation

by Freddie is wrong, untruthful and misleading.

The office where she worked was reorganized and her

position was found to be redundant. Mrs. Kissoon was given a choice of working at another office which she declined.

It was not clear to me whether she was forced to retire or is on early retirement.

But she is approaching mandatory retirement age which Kissoon reached in July 2011. For Kissoon to say that his contract was terminated at UG is also misleading. He attained mandatory retirement age and was given a short term contract as a lecturer.

Apparently, the UG contract was not properly done and it violated certain rules and requirements and as a result it was withdrawn after a term. So Kissoon also was not fired from his job contrary to his unsupported claim.

In several columns, Kissoon accused the government of being behind the assaults on him. But he offered no evidence. No one is able to offer any credible reasons why the government would want to go after Kissoon physically. He does not pose a threat to the administration and the majority of the population does not take Kissoon’s

writings seriously.

At any rate, Kissoon has been a perennial critic of the PPP since 1995. So why would the government wait till now to go after him or his wife who has been working for the government for some 25 years. I was informed that Mrs. Kissoon is a charming, competent, peaceful, easy going, and hard working woman and someone who is admired by colleagues and peers. So the government had no vindictive reason to fire her.

I was unable to confirm whether anyone who is less senior to Mrs. Kissoon was retained at the post or whether her post was eliminated with her approval.

There is no reason to believe that Mrs. Kissoon was targeted for termination at a government position. And she absolutely was not fired contrary to Mr. Freddie Kissoon’s claim.

Perhaps Mrs. Kissoon can clear the air on her employment status and whether she is receiving pension. If Mrs. Kissoon was wrongfully terminated, she would be entitled to large compensation.

Vishnu Bisram

DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the newspaper report “Chinese being updated on Guyana’s business Laws.”(GT3/1/13).

Rev. Dr Juan Edghill, Minister within the Ministry of Finance, reiterated his Government’s policy: “Guyana’s economy is one which allows for an open market, where anyone, local or foreign, could set up businesses once the playing field is level and fair and they operate within the Law”.

That policy of the Free Market has been Government’s policy over the last 20 years.

But despite this wellknown policy which has been in effect for all these years, Messrs Stanley Ming, a wellknown politician, and Brian Yong went out of their way to give the impression that persons are prevented by the Government from setting up businesses.

Ming declared :”Every person should be given the opportunity to establish a business if they so desire” while Yong followed up “Every person should be given the opportunity to establish legitimate businesses here” as if anyone prevents Chinese nationals or anyone else from setting up businesses. Messrs Ming and Yong must retract their damaging, incorrect and misleading statements.

Mr Ming goes on to say that “Guyana should welcome open border relationships with countries like Brazil, China and the Caribbean Territories”. Mr Ming is perfectly aware that policies such as “open border relationships” are reciprocal and not a one-way street.

Guyana and Brazil and the Caribbean Territories have gone a far way towards working out mutually beneficial “Open border relationships” but China has never signified any intention of so doing.

Indeed, on the basis of reciprocity China must be required to allow Guyanese and Caricom citizens the identical facilities of freedom of entry and setting up businesses in China. This includes the citizenry in the Diaspora.

Mr Ming should now publicly reiterate this principle of International Law to make his statement meaningful.

Mr Yong has said that he had arranged seminars for Chinese nationals to learn of VAT and MS. He should also arrange for GRA to explain how Income Taxes are paid and for the Labour Ministry to explain about minimum wage and hours of work. This is necessary to avoid any future pitfalls.

Kassa Maconen Barnet

There must be reciprocity

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Letters... Where your views make the news

Freddie Kissoon – one of Guyana’s patriots DEAREDITOR, I have never met the man, but should life offer me that opportunity, I would relish it.

I would shake his hand, I would say Thank You Sir for being a great patriot to this country and I would tell him this one last thing before I break the hold, “On a personal level, it’s a pity it took me almost 14 years of living outside of Guyana to realize of what great value you are to this nation.”

While living in Guyana, I never bothered to read Freddie Kissoon’s articles because from what I was made to understand, he was just some antigovernment fanatic. What made it worst was that I was growing up in a time where I only knew of one governing administration which had predominantly AfroGuyanese support, and then knowing that he was of Indian decent I assumed also that Freddie Kissoon was also anti Afro-Guyanese. Therefore I never even bothered to read anything he produced.

As fate would have it, however, I remember writing to the newspapers to express, I

remembered particularly after the 2001 elections, concerns about the future Guyana was going to have if we continued with our inability as a people to be able to see beyond race.

Suffice to say, even though I am not proud but when I see where we are today, I can only say “We had this coming.” But now back to Freddie….The shock of my life came when I read one of the titles of his articles and realized that the headline screams exactly what I was saying to myself for a number of years.

I subsequently went back and began reading some of his previous works and came to the realization, how long this son of the soil has been standing out there warning us, forbidding political leaders, and encouraging this nation to let’s get our act together or face certain destruction.

It is a painful reality however, that the likes of Freddie Kissoon might never live long enough to see the Guyana that he knows and believes it possible—a country thriving with economic prosperity, respect and opportunity for all Guyanese, living in a society where we abide

by law and order, there is justice for all and the average person speaks up and does not tolerate any kind or semblance of bias not even if it comes for the highest office in the land.

But for now that’s a mythical Guyana. Reality is that Freddie is through his articles still that lone warrior with his pen like a sword in hand trying to slay the dragons of injustice and prejudice, still trying to cast out the demons of racism and corruption, and he doesn’t care that no one is joining him to wage this war.

He has decided to make this his last stand; he has decided to fight because he still believes that more of us will open our eyes to the reality that this war is not just going to end itself. It’s going to take an enormous effort, because the enemies are numerous and unrelenting but like a true patriot Freddie still believes that war must be waged to protect the ideals he believes in for his country that he truly loves.

Mr. Freddie Kissoon, on behalf of Guyanese near and far, thanks for being a True Patriot.

Daison Marks

DEAREDITOR, In your Sunday edition of January 13, 2013 in the People’s National Congress column “ Lost Lives” the party specifically chose to pinpoint that the present PPP/ C administration was in cahoots with self confessed drug lord Shaheed “Roger” Khan.

But what the author of the PNC/R column failed to clearly state was that during the Roger Khan trial some other startling revelations came out. Two of APNU’s top brass, former Commissioner of Police Mr Winston Felix MP, and Former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Mr Edward

Collins’s names were revealed as being very integral in the removal of the bodies of the sugar workers that went missing in the Buxton backlands area and were found later to be murdered.

I’m puzzled as to why the author chose to omit that part of the revelation. Is it that he conveniently suffers from amnesia or is that it was deliberate to give Guyanese the impression that these two men in our midst are nothing short of being angels and gentlemen?

Could Mr David Granger honestly tell this nation what was on his mind when he asked for a

Presidential Commission of Inquiry from the period of 2004 to 2010? How about an Inquiry from 2002 and on wards or a COI from the PNC era to present day?

The big question is whether Mr Granger is afraid that some of his APNU buddies will be exposed for what they really are, at least we have two APNU members’ names to begin with.

In my humble and layman’s opinion I think that an inquiry from the PNC era to the present will expose the atrocities committed by both parties against the people of this land and to our dear and beautiful Guyana.

Randy Persaud

DEAR EDITOR, In early 2012 Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee public expressed his no confidence in a gazetted senior officer of the Guyana Police Force, Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine.

He further directed that Commissioner of Police (Acting) Leroy Brumell, take the necessary disciplinary action. We all know what has happened since then; Ramnarine, one of the most accomplished police commanders currently serving the Guyana Police Force has been effectively “gagged”.

Ramnarine has held his tongue and has not moved to the court for redress.

Fast forward to the present situation which began late last year; the National Assembly through a motion from Opposition Leader David Granger, voted in favour of a no confidence motion against the Home Affairs Minister.

All hell broke loose. In defence of the Minister, Attorney General Anil Nandlall is about to precipitate a constitutional crisis of immense magnitude with his move to the High Court. No one, except the Opposition, chided the

Minister for interfering with the operational running of the Guyana Police Force.

Nor did anyone accuse Commissioner Brumell of breaching the rights of Assistant Commissioner Ramnarine.

However, all kinds of fingers are being pointed at the Speaker of the National Assembly for upholding a position taken by the legitimate majority-led house.

If Ramnarine cannot now speak as a Commander, why should Rohee be allowed to speak as the Minister of Home Affairs?

Get the point?

Rona McIntosh

A case of APNU amnesia?

Rohee vs Ramnarine

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 9

THE GOOD LIFE IS HERE Guyanese do not appreciate just how good they have it. They may not have all the things that they want, but judging from what is seen, the good life is here already.

People just have to learn how to enjoy it. No Guyanese have to wake up and face below zero degrees temperature. They do not have to bundle together a hurried meal, drink a hot cup of coffee and then hurry to the closet to put on two layers of clothing, then cover that over with a coat and proceed through the door, only to find that snow fell overnight and the driveway needs clearing.

They do not have to take a spade and move the snow away, then step cautiously along the pavement, join the bus and drive one hour to catch the subway. They do not have to travel for another one hour in the subway before reaching their place of work where they will labour non-stop until afternoon when they will make the return journey.

By the time they get home, they would have been more tired from the traveling than from the day’s work and would have little time else other than to eat a re-heated meal and to jump under the covers to get a few hours sleep before starting the routine all over.

That is hard life. That is

bruising life. It may pay well materially, but how many of us can honestly say that we would not have loved to be in a warmer climate, in a more relaxed atmosphere? How many of us would not have loved to have been back home?

The argument has been made that the average Guyanese does not enjoy the material comforts of those in the First World. But it is asking too much in too short a time, considering where the nation was economically, for everyone to have what the average citizen has in the United States.

And yet you go into the homes of the average Guyanese and you find that some of them have flat screen televisions, microwaves, washing machines, gas stoves and stereo systems.

They have the basics and more.

The average Guyanese burns more lights than the average American and the growth in motor vehicles is as such that within the next few years there is going to be a car in every home.

Healthcare may not be the best but it is free, and if Guyanese believe that they get a hassle at the emergency room at the national hospital, then they should visit some of the emergency rooms in the metropolitan societies.

Dem boys seh...

Mouth open, story jump out Bar Bee collect money fuh renting one bond to de government. Bar Bee own two bond. When people talk how he collect rent he claim how is not true, that de government rent he bond fuh free. However, de story buss out that he did collect rent. He get ketch, but he bareface. He got de nerve to seh that dem boys wrang because de government pay he rent fuh de other stall.

This is de same man who claim that he ain’t tek no money at all. And de Leslie who ain’t got nutten to do wid de business push in he mouth. Is de same Leslie who did seh that Guyana had more AIDS than everybody, just fuh collect dem Americans money. He get ketch wid he lie and de people stop giving Guyana money. This same Leslie did arrange wid Bar Bee fuh mek AIDS drugs and he bully de Collins lady fuh approve de drugs when de woman claim how de drugs didn’t meet de standards.

Leslie suh bareface that he send de drugs wha Bar Bee mek to Canada and to Jamaica fuh testing. De drugs fail de test and that was de end of de programme. But dem boys seh that if people didn’t watching Leslie woulda sneak de drugs into de system and mek de government pay. People woulda dead, but Leslie and Bar Bee woulda get more rich.

Wha got dem boys thinking that Guyana full of crooks is when Berry Berry push in he mouth. He is de same man who try fuh hide de high price de government pay fuh de cream, Ketoconazole. When he get corner he admit. Right away Bar Bee tell de whole world that he fix he price and people can buy if dem want. De only people who was buying was de government.

He had a sure market and de government mek sure that dem buy at whatever price he call.

Is now people see how de public money use to disappear from de treasury. Dem also see how certain people get rich. De money from de Treasury pass through a factory and then get distribute.

However, moon does run till day ketch am and it look like if de moon get ketch. Talk half and wait fuh more confession.

Without health insurance, the average American’s goose is cooked.

This is not comparing the two countries. Surely, Guyana is way behind, but yet the people in Guyana have a good quality of life. While materially they are not on par with the average man in the richer countries, there is a lot going for Guyana in terms of happiness, in terms of the lifestyle, in terms of the friendliness of our people and how to get along. That is the good life too, because the good life is not all about material things.

However, from an outsider’s perspective there are certain things which can be done almost immediately to make life in Guyana even

better.

For one, there has to be less littering. This is a problem that is being created by citizens. The government has to solve the problem, but that problem is not of their creation.

The second problem, if solved, that can make life better, is paying a little more attention to the recreation areas, especially within the rural areas. There must be places for children to go and play in the afternoons, rather than playing ball on the streets.

The other thing is manners. Guyanese are very friendly people and have always been known to be mannerly and helpful. Yet so often you see an old person

trying to cross the street and no one seems to be willing to lend a helping hand. We can have a better life in Guyana if we learn to be happy.

Then there is the way we treat animals. In this day and age we should not have dray carts. The sight of an animal suffering under the strain of having to pull tons of building material is distressing, and this is one area where more work needs to be done. The good life is not just about humans but also how we treat the animals.

If a Guyanese wakes up tomorrow and decides that he or she does not feel like going to work, he or she simply stays at home and calls in sick. And many Guyanese love to work by themselves

and so they are their own bosses. This is a good life.

Not many immigrants have that luxury.

The people should value what they have. Guyana has a great deal of wealth and there is no reason why everyone should not be happier, should not have the good life. But unless you can appreciate what you have now, you may never know when to stop and enjoy what life has to offer.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

=== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ===

The long and winding road to uncertainty No one knows what will become of Guyana in 2013.

This country is one of the w o r l d ’s m o s t e n d u r i n g territorial tragedies. From the time of selfgovernment at the beginning of the fifties into the year 2013, Guyana has experienced few moments of peace and development.

I am typing this essay a few hours after President Obama was inaugurated and my mind went back to a column done by Mrs. Janet Jagan showering praise on Mr. Obama. I was so enraged that I responded with a

commentary on that column.

It is stupid of a human being to say that you admire a leader of a country and how he is changing it in fantastic ways and you are the leader of a country too, and barefacedly refuse to emulate the person that you think is showing great qualities.

In that column of mine, I castigated Mrs. Jagan for not getting the PPP to at least attempt to be like Obama.

At the time, Mrs. Jagan was still the de facto head of the PPP and maintained

enormous power and influence in the running of the Government. If any country needed an Obama at the time when Mrs. Jagan had her power, it was Guyana. From the time the PNC lost power in 1992, an Obama was desperately needed to save this nation.

But Mrs. Jagan had no interest in nurturing an Obama in the PPP or saving Guyana at all.

Two Mondays ago in a Stabroek News column, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran wrote that he sees no transformational leader appearing in the future in the

Guyanese deacon caught having sex with daughter in Antigua Antigua – A Guyanese deacon accused of having sex with his teenage daughter in a car made his first court appearance on Monday and was remanded to prison.

The 46-year-old appeared in St John’s Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh charged with four counts of incest.

Dressed in all black, the

defendant kept his head bowed during the proceedings while his attorney Charlesworth Browne made pleas for the court to grant him bail.

The adjudicator advised the attorney to make his application for bail in the High Court.

Police say they spotted the man and his 17-year-old

daughter in a vehicle on the evening of January 16 at Fort James. The teenager was questioned and apparently admitted that she was engaged in a sexual act with her father before they arrived on the scene. The deacon was taken into custody.

The girl is said to have been enduring the sexual abuse for several years.

PPP. This is bad news. It drives the pessimism we live with deeper into our psyche, and we all dread where the long and winding road that is a country named Guyana will take us.

The year 2013 has not started auspiciously. There isn’t even a remote or faint hint at inclusiveness from the Executive.

What will happen to this nation as the shadows of 2013 ebb into history and 2014 beckons is not something any Guyanese can predict. But we can try by using the indicators we see from the dying stages of 2012.

Only someone with his/ her head in the sand will say that the PPP is a popular government that acts democratically and governs this country with lawfulness, moral uprightness and good intention.

No government should be respected when it brings young people into its fold and overnight they build castles and mansions and not one of them has faced a disciplinary hearing. You call this incredible corruption.

Whatever happens in

2013, the signs are just not good. Every effort is being made by the Executive to strip the power of the Legislature through the use of the judiciary.

We are entering uncertain waters where the lines between the three constitutional pillars of power, referred to hundreds of years ago as the separation of powers, are being blurred.

Every effort is being made in today’s Guyana to weaken the sacred and longstanding principle of modern democracy that votes count.

In Guyana today (and since November 2011), votes don’t seem to count.

Votes are being dismissed in a semantic caricature called by the PPP, “the majority of one.”

Since the 2011 general elections, an Executive, a Government and a President have told this nation ‘we are in charge because we were elected’. In the same breath, these same elected jurisdictions behave towards the Parliament as if it was not elected.

I have written on this page since that national election that if the Executive cannot accept that the Parliament was

Frederick Kissoon elected by a majority of votes, then on what basis have Guyanese accepted the power and legality of the Executive?

So what will happen in 2013? There are the budget talks. What should we make of it? This columnist believes that the invitation to the Opposition Leader by the President does not make sense contextually.

It only does if there was a pattern of concessions since the November 2011 elections.

Why would the PPP include items on the opposition’s agenda in the budget knowing that the opposition will take credit for the resulting benefits?

A more realpolitik approach is to start the process of generosity on your own so you get the credit yourself. It didn’t happen last year. It will not happen this year. Uncertainty beckons.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

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Kaieteur News

Health Minister flip-flops on $90M New ...

From page 3 purchases. Most of the attacks were directed at Kaieteur News and Stabroek News.

New GPC/Guyana Times and its parent company, Queens Atlantic Investments Incorporated, admittedly have close ties to former President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

KN NOT INVITED On Monday, the Health Minister paid a visit to the new bond in Diamond and to the one at New GPC’s Industrial Site location at Farm. However, the private media were not invited. The Minister’s office could not immediately explain yesterday why an invitation was not sent to Kaieteur News.

With regards to funding for the bond, Minister Ramsaran noted that the realisation of the bond is due to contributions by donor agencies who gave a total of about $375M. The Guyana Government contributed $120M. Over the past few months, health officials including its ministers, in justifying its use of New GPC for contracts, had

The new $495M drugs bond at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

argued that free storage had played a part. There was never any mention of the hefty $1.5M being paid monthly.

NOTHING IS FREE Meanwhile, in a clear attempt to divert from the $90M payments, the Minister and Dr. Ramroop, through the latter’s (continued on page 6)newspaper, admitted that monies were paid in

rental…though not for the Ruimveldt bond of New GPC. Kaieteur News was blasted for being wrong about the location.

During the visit, Ramsarran accused both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News of fighting for market shares.

The Minister even attacked the Auditor General for his report and said that it was his government that resurrected them annually.

Parliament’s largest opposition group, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), earlier this week said it will be asking a special committee to investigate Government’s decision to unfairly grant New GPC billions of dollars in drugs contracts u n d e r u n c l e a r circumstances.

Other importers said that they are now breaking their silence, after being

sidelined.

In early 2010, the Cabinet of Ministers, under former President Jagdeo, made a decision to allow New GPC, a company with which he reportedly has close ties, to be granted hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts.

It was the same year that New GPC may have failed to deliver $222M in drugs.

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC),

which examines the Auditor General’s annual report on how state funds are spent, was told last week that attempts are now being made - two years later - to determine how much New GPC did not deliver.

Health officials have admitted that they took no action to sanction New GPC. In 2011, the company also managed to be awarded almost 80% of the drug contracts.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Local distributor urges consumers to “Go Green” - touts biodegradable food containers

By Zena Henry As the City continues to struggle with its current garbage problem and the nuisance of nonbiodegradable waste, a local distributor is encouraging all citizens to “Go Green” and purchase biodegradable containers, or in this case, biodegradable food boxes.

Jermin’s Enterprise, located at 93 Regent Street, Lacytown (opposite City Hall), is promoting a new, safe and efficient way of presenting meals for sale with the use of biodegradable receptacles. Jermin’s is an importer of the biodegradable food containers. The company was established in October of last year and the management is driven by the will to be responsible to the environment.

The company was first launched at the GuyExpo Exhibition last year, as attempts were made to reach a broad base of consumers and convert them into “going green”.

Eating utensils made out of Styrofoam and other nonbiodegradable materials has been at the centre of the city’s

clogging and flooding problems. Apart from that, the waste material which does not naturally decompose can be found thrown about, littering streets, communities and the environment.

International studies show that most biodegradable items are made from animals or plants, but some artificial materials designed to mimic these organic substances can also degrade over time. But when the environment—air, sunlight, water or ground soil substances—cannot break down the waste, it is considered nonbiodegradable.

Some biodegradable products take longer to break down than others and could thus have a negative impact on the environment. For example, the International Coral Reef Alliance showed that a banana peel degrades within two months, while notebook paper will break down within three months.

Harder substances like soda cans take up to 350 years, while the plastic rings that hold together a six-pack of those cans can take up to 450

years. Glass bottles and Styrofoam products might never biodegrade.

The Government and the City Council have been urging citizens to conserve the environment by being more accountable for the disposal of their waste. Initiatives such as “Pick it up Guyana” and “Go Green” campaigns have been endorsed and promoted throughout the country to tackle the buildup of nonbiodegradable waste.

Jermin’s disclosed that it was after moves like those mentioned that the entity sought to prevent continued environmental harm, and the idea of a “Go Green” store was d e v e l o p e d . S o f a r, t h e response to the products is relatively slow. But Office Manager Adunni Simon insists that people are enthusiastic about the idea of “Going Green” and are gradually converting.

She explained that some are hesitant about change, but the company expects favourable feedback in the future since the firm is fairly young and benefits of the

Some of the biodegradable containers sold at Jermin’s conversion still need to be highlighted.

Simon stressed that apart from those benefits, the biodegradable food boxes at Jermin’s are also cheaper than the known “environmental killers” such as plastic and Styrofoam containers. They come in varying shapes and sizes and can be used for storing cakes, meals and other dried foods.

According to Simon, the plan is to host a follow-up launch in March to promote the company’s product line and to increase knowledge about the containers, particularly their advantages.

The company is hoping to attract environmental organizations, Ministry officials, restaurant owners, vendors and consumers.

We are hoping that the

relevant authorities would jump on the initiative to promote healthy social living.

We are also asking consumers to “Go Green” by purchasing for persons who use biodegradable items and to encourage others to follow suit. Persons wishing to make contact with us can call 6237311 or 690-2535, or visit our centrally located office anytime,” Simon urged.

AFC disappointed with support from public against suicide Exactly one week ago, the Alliance for Change (AFC) made a call for a national approach to be taken to address the frightening issue of suicide, but so far, the party remains disappointed that no one has accepted the party’s invitation to tackle the issue.

This is according to the party’s vice chairman Moses Nagamootoo.

Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, Nagamootoo expressed that he is surprised at this fact, given that suicide has become a very worrying trend.

He added that while the AFC does not want the issue to become a “political football”, the party was hoping to get a response from government officials.

He emphasised that not even religious bodies came forward to deal with the issue of people taking their own lives.

It was the many reported suicide cases for this year alone that had prompted the AFC to make the call for a national approach to be taken to address the issue.

During a press conference held last Wednesday at the Side Walk Café, party member Beverly Alert spoke briefly, yet firmly on the issue.

She noted that “at this rate, we are going to be left at a very old society, because a lot of our young people seem

AFC vice chairman, Moses Nagamootoo to be taking their own lives.

Definitely the coping mechanism is not being taught; is not being instilled in our young people”.

The AFC, she said, does not want the issue to become a “political football dragged between the political parties”.

Alert made a call for the people of Guyana - religious leaders, civil society, and all, to join the AFC, and work together to address the issue of suicide.

Already for the year there a number of suicide cases, most of which were of persons from the Essequibo Coast.

Nandranie Narine, 49, formerly of Charity Housing

Scheme recently died from the ingestion of a quantity of Gramoxone.

Param Gamsundar, 43, formerly of Anna Regina and Hampton Court Village, died at the Suddie Public Hospital, after also ingesting a poisonous substance. The most recent case to have hit the Essequibo Coast is the death of former ranger, Roy Jones.

Jones, formerly of Queenstown Village, died three days after ingesting a large quantity of Gramoxone.

Alert, during her address to media operatives, also mentioned the names of 16year-old Safraz Sattaur and 15-year-old Natasha Nazamoodeen.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Internet goes down after car crashes into pole at Airy Hall

Customers of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) in the Catherine, East Coast Demerara area were on Monday evening left without internet service as a result of vehicular accident at Airy Hall, Mahaicony, which damaged a pole and burnt the attached telephone cable.

According to GT&T, the damage also affected the Suriname/Guyana Terrestrial link.

An emergency crew restored service to that link at 10:51 hours yesterday and the internet at 11:57 hours.

The car, a Toyota, was badly burnt.

The company stated that its operations continue to be affected by acts of vandalism, careless excavation and, as in this case, vehicular accidents.

At a recent press

The burnt vehicle and cable at the scene of the accident.

conference, Chief Financial Officer (ag), Sonita Jagan, had highlighted the negative effect of vandalism and

appealed for the public’s involvement in protecting the facilities that are installed to serve Guyana.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Amerindians speak out against ruling on lands

By Zena Henry A number of villagers from Isseneru, in association with the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA), have expressed displeasure with the recent ruling of High Court Judge, Diana Insanally, in favour of a miner Joan Chang conducting works in what they consider to be Amerindian ancestral lands.

The Amerindians have seen the ruling as “an assault on our rights and way of life”, and have deemed the Amerindian Act 2006 as “a document with no power.”

At a press conference held at the Guyana Human Rights Association headquarters yesterday, villagers called on the Government to review the Amerindian Act, and to make the necessary amendments to strengthen and encompass a broader scope of rights for the indigenous people.

They also plan to host peaceful vigil and picket exercises in order to meaningfully show their dissatisfaction with the court’s ruling.

The villagers brought to the fore, many incidents where they said they are contending with miners for areas given as titled lands.

Currently, they said, many

Isseneru executives Lewis and Dwight Larson (far right) with Toshaos and representatives of other concerned villages cases are before the courts and some which they have already lost are being appealed. Given these developments, they questioned what power they possess to control and monitor their lands, citing the negative implications the ruling may hold for Amerindians countrywide.

“The implication here is that the rights of miners take precedence over the people who were there before, simply because one was granted their legal papers before the

other. What then is the relevance of the constitution; Article 149G that says ‘Indigenous peoples shall have the right to protection, preservation and promulgation of their languages, cultural heritage and way of life?’” Isseneru Village Councilor and Secretary, Dwight Larson asked.

The Isseneru villagers said that they received their land title from the government in 2007. The land was, however, much smaller than

what they had applied for and considered as traditional lands. About three months after receiving the title, they said it became clear that the officially recognised land was not in effect theirs, since miners started making claims to carry out their activities.

They said that in 2008, when they tried to negotiate with another miner, “We were taken to court, and in late 2008 a decision was made stating that we did not have the right to stop the mining activity. Isseneru appealed the matter, but it is still pending in court and the miner is still carrying on mining on our lands.”

After the issues experienced by the villagers, they said the government demarcated their land in 2010 and a Certificate of Title was given, but the mining problems persisted.

“We sent letters to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Minister of Amerindian Affairs about our concerns and arranged a meeting in Isseneru which they attended, together with

the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Environmental Protection Agency and the Lands and Surveys Commission. The response was that the Ministers would look into the matter, but we never received word back. As a next step, we addressed the GGMC in order to have a cease work order issued towards the miner, Joan Chang. This was done – twice – but as a result, Chang chose to take both our Village Council and the GGMC to court.”

“We are deeply disappointed and worried with this ruling and what it means to our village and to Amerindian communities in general. On the ground it has serious environmental and social impacts for us. The miners have, for example, brought with them problems related to drugs and prostitution. At the higher level, we feel that when the High Court tells us that we have no rights to decide and control what takes place on our land, then the land is not ours. Why has the government given us this land when it has already given

the same land to someone else? Just Friday, when inquiring at the office of the GGMC, we learnt that our whole land is covered with mining concessions. Yet, the government has not informed us about this,” the community members asserted.

They opined that with the existing Act, Amerindians’ way of life is at risk as they depend wholly on the land for survival.

The Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA) has also highlighted its disappointment towards the court ruling and by extension, the treatment of Amerindians in connection to the rights given by the Amerindian Act. Several members from various Amerindian villages were also in attendance to lend support to the representatives of the Isseneru Village.

The members highlighted problems they face in their communities, while others also pointed to the possible negative impact on their locations and the weakness of the Amerindian Act. In light of the recent developments, media operatives were told that the Amerindian representatives received word that President Donald Ramotar would be moving to accommodate them in discussions. The vigils and picket exercises will be held at the office of the Amerindian Affairs Minister and the Office of the President.

In the meantime, Isseneru Village has indicated its intention to challenge the High Court ruling, while other villages have vowed their support. “Together we will fight for our rights as first people and for the lands of our forefathers and for the future of our coming generations.”

Wedding house ‘Bad Man’ held with illegal gun A man who tried to be a ‘Bad Man’ at a Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara wedding house is now cooling off in the lock-ups of the Beterverwagting Police Station.

The man was arrested on Monday night by a member of the Mon Repos Community Policing Group after he brandished an unlicenced gun at a guest at the wedding house with whom he had a misunderstanding.

Police in a statement yesterday said that at about 23:45 hours on Monday, “acting on information

received, members of the Mon Repos North Community Policing Group conducted a search on a man at a wedding house at Mon Repos. An unlicensed .38 Taurus pistol with four matching rounds was found in his possession.”

Kaieteur News understands that the man who was apparently under the influence of alcohol, sent several persons scurrying when he whipped out the gun and threatened to shoot another man with whom he was having a heated argument. He did not cater for the presence of rural

constables keeping watch for any unruly behaviour outside the wedding house.

He was soon identified and one of the RCs searched him and found the weapon.

The man reportedly told police that he found the gun.

It is not too clear if the man was waiting to rob any of the guests at the wedding house, but investigators are now in the process of carrying out ballistics tests on the weapon to see if it was involved in any criminal activity.

The man is expected to be placed before the courts soon.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

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Kaieteur News

Crane residents disturbed by dumping at community ground

I

n what could be deemed a bizarre move by a Region Three Local Authority, several young men of the Crane Housing Scheme are now unable to engage in sport activities at the area's Community Ground which has over the years characterised a daily pastime for them.

According to reports from residents of the area, not only have the officials of the Best/Klien/Pouderoyen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) disregarded their plea but the police was also called when they attempted to halt efforts to deface the Community Ground.

This publication was informed that from about a week ago a truck laden with silt and vegetation has been frequenting the area and was seen depositing loads of the reeking waste on the community ground.

According to a resident, who is a former member of the Council, the move came as a direct result of a

directive by the NDC's Chairman, Omesh Balram.

The resident opined that there have been instances when the Chairman has operated in a high-handed manner, thus the recent move comes as no surprise.

During a visit to the community ground this publication observed piles of the waste matter, which according to reports, was removed from a trench at Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. A foul odour emanates from the dumped waste which lines the western fence of the community ground. The entrance there is barely visible as a result.

Upon entry to the facility there were several more piles of the waste matter strewn mostly around the corners of the ground with a few others at various points on the field.

There was an especially huge mound in the centre of a section that is used to play football, effectively preventing any such activities.

However, the NDC

Piles of waste matter on the community ground.

Chairman, Balram, in an invited comment to this publication on the matter, said that the decision to move the waste to the community ground was not made independently.

In fact, he related that a meeting was held with the football players as well as cricketers who utilise the ground in order to inform them of moves to level the ground.

According to Balram, the players had earlier requested that works be done to improve the current state of the ground, particularly the eastern section which is used to play cricket matches.

“We would not just do that to the ground without talking to the players. We just weren't able to complete the work because the rains came and we had to stop, but it will soon be fixed,” said Balram.

However, he did not speak to the unhygienic deposits which are intended to be used to level the ground.

“They don't know what deh between them stuff...them things come out of a trench...you can only classify that as waste; that is things to dump not to fix up a ground where these young men does play every day.

All they are doing right now is making the ball field a dump site,” one resident opined The community ground is used by the ever-growing populations of the phase one and phase two sections of the We s t C o a s t D e m e r a r a village for a number of activities such as recreational event and kiteflying during the Easter Holidays, among others.

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Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

GRA, CJIA beefing up security - pledge to clamp down on “suitcase traders” The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) in a joint press conference have vowed to clamp down on “suitcase traders” as well as the smuggling of illicit items.

The recent installation of a US$80,000 scanner for all incoming baggage at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport is the first major step in that regard. The scanner will be detecting packages which are deemed commercial goods brought into the country via suitcase, as well as weapons and narcotics.

The scanner, a Chinesemade NUCTECH Filmsafe

Competitiveness Strategy Unit (NCSU) project manager Tariq Williams, Deputy Head, Customs and Trade Administration Karen Chapman and several GRA representatives.

Commissioner General Sattaur said the need for the scanner was listed as an action to be taken in a trade transaction plan created by public private dialogue body which is a sub-group of the national competitiveness council.

He noted with concern that persons were trying to deceive customs at the airport by concealing commercial items, concealed weapons, explosives and narcotics in

no controls and mechanisms in place to detect individuals using their suitcases for commercial importation of goods that is subject to duty.

“It would therefore not be something for people travelling to Guyana with the genuine intentions coming as travelers to be deterred. I would want to expect it would be a deterrent to persons who come to the country and do not make the right declarations of what they bring in their suitcases, and I am referring to things like watches, cell phones, jewellery, clothing…things that can be commercially imported. This has been a vibrant business.”

Adding that persons will

A terminal officer viewing suitcases being passed through the scanner

An airport official loads a suitcase onto the scanner

X Ray Inspection System, was acquired through the Support for Competitiveness Programme (SCP), with assistance from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). SCP is a component of the National Competitiveness Strategy Unit (NCSU).

Officials at yesterday's press conference included Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur, National

their suitcase. The installation of this scanner is expected to combat these activities.

The GRA boss stated emphatically that persons found guilty of making false declarations could face a fine of up to $25,000 and three years' imprisonment.

He further explained that the scanner is not intended to target persons visiting the country, but to clamp down on persons taking advantage of the system where there are

be given the opportunity to make their declarations in the appropriate manner, Sattaur said the full penalty of the law will be administered to those who do not comply.

Deputy Head, Customs and Trade Administration, Karen Chapman, noted that when someone arrives at the airport with their luggage from the customs area, they would now either head to make a declaration, or if the person has nothing to

declare, they would head straight to the scanner.

“Once you have nothing to declare you will head to the green lane where the suitcase will be placed on the scanner when your turn comes. The luggage will be scanned and a form C14 will be filled out by a customs officer in attendance. If goods are found to be dutiable, they would be transferred to the red lane, where there will be a physical examination and an

inspection will be done. If based on the scanning there is nothing found by the customs officer, the form will be signed and the passenger will then exit the customs area,” Chapman explained.

“If you go to the green lane to say you have nothing to declare, and you have something to declare, it is that you are making a false declaration. Signs in the lobby will state the penalties for false declaration…this is a $25,000 fine together with imprisonment.”

Adding that there is also a penalty for concealed goods, Chapman said this would attract a $10,000 fine or triple the value of the goods and one year imprisonment.

NCSU project manager Tariq Williams said the goal of the programme is to enhance Guyana's competitiveness and contribute to increased levels of private investment and exports for the country.

Given the significant role played by GRA in facilitating trade, he said, a

substantial amount of funding was made under the SCP. He said in early 2012, GRA recognized the need for a cargo scanner in order to expedite the process of maximizing revenue collection.

He said the NCSU and the SCP remain committed to supporting the revenue agency and other stakeholder agencies.

Chief Executive Officer of the airport, Ramesh Ghir said the scanner contributes to the modernisation of the CJIA, and opined that the airport can be comparable to international standards with its facilities and equipment.

Ghir also disclosed that the airport would be purchasing and installing a n o n - i n t r u s i v e s c a n n e r, valued at almost three times (US$200,000) the baggage scanner.

Meanwhile, the terminal officer at the scanner disclosed that items are colour coded when it is passed through the scanner, and an officer would be able to identify anything that would cause the suitcase to be examined and inspected.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Opposition PNM sweeps THA polls SCARBOROUGH, Tobago - CMC – The main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) has won a landslide victory in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), with preliminary results showing that the party has won all 12 seats.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who along with senior members of her coalition People’s Partnership government, had campaigned heavily in support of the Tobago Organisation of the People, (TOP), one of the four partners of the coalition, conceded defeat.

“The people have spoken. This has been a tough political battle and t h e c h o i c e f o r To b a g o between change and a perpetuation of an administration which has been in place for twelve years. “ To b a g o n i a n s , i n a n overwhelming majority chose to stay with the Orville London led THA. And as I have always said, the voice of the people, is the voice of God,” she said in a statement.

Chief Secretary Oville London said he felt humbled by the victory “because of the tremendous trust the p e o p l e o f To b a g o h a v e placed in me and my team”.

London, who had complained in the past that Prime Minister Persad Bissessar had been ignoring calls for them to meet to discuss development issues in the sister isle, said that he hoped they would soon meet as “mature leaders” to discuss the relationship between the two countries.

PNM leader Dr. Keith Rowley described the victory as one for the entire country of Trinidad and Tobago.

“It is no easy or mean feat to go for a fourth term...and to end up winning with as clean sweep must say something,” he added.

Political analyst Derek Ramsamooj said that the TOP could become “politically irrelevant to the People’s Partnership government”.

Speaking on television, Ramsamooj said that if a general election is held tomorrow “the TOP would not be seen as being relevant to the government”.

TOP leader Ashworth Jack, the outgoing Minority Leader in the THA, was soundly defeated, polling 645 votes to 1, 259 for relative new comer Sheldon Cunningham.

“I will assess my own future in terms of the politics,” Jack told reporters.

Political observers had regarded the poll as a referendum on the coalition partnership that came to power in May 2010, and has had “several missteps” over the past two and half years in power.

Political commentator Dr. Vanus James said the results had weakened the coalition government and that “this election has taken Jack out of the picture”.

“The leader did not have a coat tail. He could not win his own or even two or more seats based on his strength,” James added.

The PNM had enjoyed an 8-4 majority in the outgoing THA and opinion polls published over the weekend suggest that the party would retain its 12 year hold of the legislative body.

Both the PNM and the Tobago Platform of the

People (TPT), headed by former THA Chief Secretary Hochoy Charles, have accused the coalition government of seeking to influence the outcome of the election by introducing legislation to grant further a u t o n o m y t o To b a g o .

Charles polled a mere 16 votes and all of the TPT candidates lost their deposits.

Debate on the amendment to the Constitution began last week and Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said that it is intended to correct a wrong that has been in existence for more than 100 years.

In her statement, Prime Minister Persad Bissessar told supporters “ do not despair” adding “there is much to be learnt from this and from which strong character can emerge.

“It is a time for introspection and resolve. A time to gather valuable insights that will serve us well in the months and years ahead,” she said.

The coalition government will face another test in May when the Local Government elections are held in Trinidad.

robbery with aggravation, shooting with intent and conspiracy to rob.

The fifth person, Maurice Morris, is charged with the offence of misprison of felony.

The police Constable was taken to Court Monday where he was remanded.

Head of the Flying Squad, Senior Superintendent Cornwall ‘Bigga’ Ford explained that during the robbery one of the robbers was shot and killed and another shot and injured.

The man who was shot

and injured was later caught by the police and is among those charged.

“This is a very challenging case involving many different leads, yet we were able to investigate and make the arrests,” said SSP Ford.

“I would like to publicly praise the team from the Flying Squad, the National Intelligence Bureau, the Organised Crime Investigation Division and the Kingston Central Police for the good work done thus far,” Ford said.

Dr. Keith Rowley

Constable among five arrested, charged in connection with $50m gold bar robbery Jamaica Gleaner - A police constable is among five people arrested and charged by Police Flying Squad investigators for various offences following a probe into the robbery of gold bars valued at approximately $50 million.

The items were taken from a businessman in downtown Kingston in December of last year.

Constable Dane Grant, Jerome Simpson, Trevor Hunter and Sheldon Allen have been charged with illegal possession of firearm;

Page 19

Venezuela’s Chavez in therapy, eyes return – Morales (Reuters) - Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez is undergoing physical therapy to hasten his return from Cuba after surgery there last month for the cancer jeopardizing his 14-year rule, Bolivian President Evo Morales said yesterday.

The comments by Morales, a fellow leftist and close friend of Chavez, added to positive signals from Venezuelan officials that the president was improving and may be able to return from Cuba, where he had surgery on December 11.

He has not been seen or heard from in public since then. “I communicated with Cuba and, brothers and sisters, we have good news about our brother, President Hugo Chavez. He is already undergoing physical therapy to return to his country,” Morales said in a speech to parliament in La Paz. “Latin American leaders like Fidel (Castro) and Hugo Chavez are very much needed at international events, and I’m certain that soon we will be (together again) at

presidential summits,” Morales added, without giving more details.

There were rumours around New Year’s Day that the socialist Chavez, 58, was on life support. They have given way in the past few days to speculation he may soon return to Venezuela.

Local media reports have said a military hospital in Caracas is being prepared to receive Chavez.

In the absence of detailed medical information, Venezuelans are debating whether Chavez may be able to recover well enough to continue governing or whether he wants to come home to smooth a handover of power or simply to say farewell.

After Morales’ comments, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said no return date was yet planned for Chavez.

Though still in a “difficult” and “complex” battle for his health, the latest news from Havana was promising and Chavez was in “good spirits”, the minister said in comments carried live

Evo Morales on TV after a cabinet meeting in Caracas.

“Commander Chavez is in Havana in the process of full re-establishment of his health,” Villegas said. “The (latest) report was very encouraging ... There is no return date yet.”

Before going to Cuba, Chavez named Vice President Nicolas Maduro, a former bus driver who rose through the ranks to become one of Chavez’s most faithful allies, as his preferred successor should he be incapacitated.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Trinidad PM says she has no Barbados PM hints at naming date for general election soon quarrel with Integrity Commission BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has hinted that he is likely to name the date for the next general elections within a few weeks time.

But he says he will only announce the date after he meets with the Governor General Elliott Belgrave.

“Let there be no mistake that the (opposition) Barbados Labour Party has been calling for an election, and that election is coming. I am not going to tell them when it is before I tell the Governor General, he has to know first.

“But it is coming and we will fight them wherever they need to be fought to ensure that the best interest of the people of Barbados is projected, and that the dream of Errol Barrow to create a just society in Barbados is maintained,” Prime Minister Stuart said at a function of his ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) on Monday night.

He told DLP supporters that they must ready themselves “because you will

Freundel Stuart be hearing from me very shortly and when that time comes we go into the battlefield with our loins girded and with all the breastplates of political righteousness”.

The BLP has boycotted parliament as it called on the government to keep with the tradition and name the date for the polls, five years after Barbadians gave the DLP an overwhelming victory.

In his speech commemorating Errol Barrow

Day, the Prime Minister noted that the occasion coincided with the second inauguration of Barack Obama, the first black President of the United States of America.

He said it was also the fact it was Martin Luther King Day. “What do these three men have in common? They all set their faces against oppression and committed their lives to the upliftment of the marginalised and socially disadvantage in their societies,” Stuart said, adding that only weeks ago, President Obama was fighting against a political party with a set of ideas that were not consistent with the best interest of the people of the United States, as Obama perceived it.

“He was fighting a set of Republican ideas which would have us all believe that the role of government in politics, should be as minimum as possible and that the fortunes of the masses of the people should be thrown open to persons whose only agenda is to make as much profit for themselves.

P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar says she has “no quarrel” with the Integrity Commission after it wrote President George Maxwell Richards seeking its support following open criticism from the head of the coalition government in Trinidad and Tobago.

In a statement, the Commission made reference to remarks by Prime Minister Persad Bissessar that it had “an appearance of bias” as she campaigned on behalf of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) during the just concluded Tobago House of assembly (THA) elections.

The Commission said “it views this statement with regret. Such comment is not consistent with the truth” and that “it must be emphasised that it is not, nor has it ever been, the Commission’s practice to announce any matters which are under investigation by the Commission”.

But the prime minister said while she had “no quarrel with the Integrity Commission” she has “merely voiced what many members of the public believe, that the Integrity Commission is inconsistent with the way it reacts and pronounces on matters before it”.She said the Commission, which is chaired

Kamla Persad-Bissessar by former government minister and newspaper publisher Ken Gordon, was “rushing to make public statements selectively on certain matters while remaining stonily silent on others of even greater public importance and urgency.

“It is for reasons such as this, among others, that public confidence in the impartiality of the Commission remains so low,” she added.

During the campaign, Prime Minister PersadBissessar accused the Integrity Commission of being biased in the controversial multi-million dollar Milshirv deal, stating there is a stony silence on the matter which leaves much to be desired.

She called on the commission to clear the air on the Milshirv scandal as it reeked of corruption and backslapping, describing it as a “PNM (People’s National Movement) family affair.”

“Whilst the Commission was quick to announce and comment on the fact that complaints against the TOP was being investigated, there has been a stony silence on this TT$310 million (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) transaction, which leaves a lot to be desired and some may say reeks of an appearance of perception of bias by the Commission.”

She said the same enthusiasm the Commission launched into the construction of TOP leader Ashworth Jack’s home, they should do for the Milshirv fiasco. In its statement, the Commission said that it would be contrary to its guidelines to announce other investigations which could be under way.

As a preliminary step, the Commission said it had taken the matter to President Richards, reminding that the members were appointed by his office in keeping with the provisions of the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution.

“He also advised that the Commission continues to enjoy his full confidence and support,” the Commission said.

Crime could cripple regional tourism, says Bahamas PM

Jamaica Gleaner Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie has issued a warning that there is no bigger threat to the future viability of tourism in the region than crime.

Addressing delegates at the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace at the Atlantis on Paradise Island in The Bahamas, Christie took time out to speak on the escalation in criminal violence, robbery and theft within the respective jurisdictions of the region.

Touching on the delicate issue, which appeared to make many stakeholders in the audience uneasy, Christie, a former tourism minister, argued that this was a problem that was being underestimated at the region’s peril.

“It is a major problem for all of us,” he declared.

Noting that the problem did not only manifest itself in crimes against tourists (which he said has statistically

Perry Christie remained limited), he argued that the stigmatisation of entire nations or tourism destinations as crime-ridden enclaves was destructive.

“The combination of travel advisories against certain destinations, coupled with media publicity in the major markets discouraging tourism travel to certain destinations, is a trend that is bound to not only continue,

but to accelerate and widen unless we manage to bring criminal activity down, way down, in our respective countries all across the region,” Christie said.

Admitting that a delicate balancing act was required, Christie said it was critical that tourism interests continue to aggressively market locations in the region as friendly places for the vacation experience.

He noted that such a characterisation remained largely true, but more effective policing measures must be put in place and sustained to ensure that the reality of the vacation experience lives up to claims of safety and security.

“I, therefore, challenge you again to expand and deepen the collaboration between the industry and national law-enforcement agencies so that this problem can be systematically and vigorously addressed and remediated on an ongoing basis,” he added.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Venezuelans puzzle over official lingo on Chavez health crisis CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela’s bespectacled and shaven-headed information minister stands solemnly at the microphone to impart the latest news on President Hugo Chavez’s cancer.

For a couple of minutes, vague descriptions of the patient’s “stability”, “progressive tendency” or “complications” waft across TV and radio airwaves into millions of Venezuelan homes.

“You see, he’s recovering,” says one Venezuelan man in a group watching live one of Information Minister Ernesto Villegas’ medical updates, almost a national ritual since the socialist Chavez disappeared from public view six weeks ago.

“Rubbish - it’s obvious he’s dying,” retorts another as the friends draw varying conclusions from the confusing report.

The handling of

information over Chavez’s condition has become as controversial as the man himself, and every official word is picked over ad nauseam in Venezuela’s own version of the “Kremlinology” analysis of political minutiae in the former Soviet Union.

Since Chavez underwent his fourth and most serious cancer operation in Cuba on December 11, he has not spoken a word in public. The government has tried to fill the information void with regular communiqués - nearly 30 so far - by Villegas and Vice-President Nicolas Maduro.

They are often tricky to interpret.

“President Chavez’s state of health continues to be delicate, presenting complications that are being attended in a process not exempt of risk,” read one statement just after

Christmas, when there were rumors Chavez was on life support.

Some of the most specific have referred to Chavez’s “breathing insufficiency” due to a lung infection. The term covers a large gamut of possibilities in Venezuelans’ minds.

“The patient is in a state of progressive and favorable recovery of the normal values of his vital signs,” said another communiqué, begging the question of what state he was in prior to that apparent upturn.

While the words “stability” and “progressive” have cropped up over and over, the first appearance of the word “stationary” in a January 7 communiqué puzzled some.

“The president finds himself in a stationary situation in relation to what was described in the most recent report,” it read.

BASSTERRE, St Kitts CMC – Police Commissioner C G Walwyn yesterday confirmed that a man had been shot and killed during a standoff with law enforcement officials after holding his estranged wife and his sister hostage.

Walwyn said that a police officer was injured during the incident that led to the death of Winston C Browne.

He said that members of the Special Services Unit (SSC), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and other law enforcement officers responded to a report that Browne had “picked up” his estranged wife and driven away with her.

The Commissioner said that a restraining order had

been issued against him in November last year and that while searching the area found the vehicle abandoned.

He said that the lawmen later found Browne and his wife as well as the sister, whose names were not disclosed.

Browne, who was armed with a knife and an ice pick, shouted at the police officers to ‘stay back’ while holding the knife to his wife’s throat, but was later persuaded to release “not before cutting her in the face area with the knife,” the Commissioner said.

“At that point, according to our reports he took the family member hostage.

He was again coaxed by the police into releasing the family member. He told the

Police to kill him. He didn’t want to live. They need to kill him.”

Accord i n g t o t h e C o m m i s s i o n e r, B r o w n e then released his sister and lunged at a police officer, stabbing him in the right, lower thigh area above the knee.

The Commissioner said as the police fell to the ground, Browne again lunged at him, forcing the officer to “discharged his service revolver in the direction of the assailant”.

Browne was declared dead at the scene, while the police officer and Browne’s wife were taken to hospital for treatment.

The Police Commissioner said that the man and his wife were married for 12 years.

HAMILTON, Bermuda CMC – The main opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has dismissed claims

by Premier Craig Cannonier that it spent “upwards of US$100 million a year on consultants”.

PLP chairman Maynard Dill described the claims as “fairytale numbers” indicating that figures released on the website of the Ministry of Finance showed the figure to be $50.7 million for the year.

Cannonier, whose One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) won

the election last month, ending 14 years of PLP rule, said he planned to significantly reduce the former government’s “extremely excessive” use of consultants.

“In 2010/11, the previous government spent upwards of US$100 million a year on consultants, which we believed to be extremely excessive. We will not duplicate their mistakes. We are confident in the competence of the civil servants to ensure that the policies of the government are

implemented.”

But Dill said the expenditure on professional services fell to US$33 million in the subsequent year, suggesting the OBA hoped to justify giving out “lucrative consulting contracts” in the future.

He quoted new Opposition Leader Marc Bean, as saying that the PLP “will not object just to object” warning that the government should not use “unfounded and spurious information” that would polarise the country.

Police shoot and kill man after holding wife, sister hostage

Bermuda Opposition denies spending US$100m on consultant fees

“Treatment is being applied permanently and rigorously, and the patient is assimilating it,” it added, without a word on what that treatment consisted of.

On Christmas Eve, mixing their messages, Villegas said Chavez was in “absolute rest” while Maduro assured Venezuelans a few hours later he was exercising. Of late, the communiqués have become more optimistic about Chavez’s “favorable evolution” and “new phase” with officials hinting at a possible homecoming.

Such language, critics say, is reminiscent of the confusion over various Russian leaders’ illnesses, from Bolshevik revolutionary Vladimir Lenin’s death in 1924 to a stream of others during the Cold War, or the secrecyshrouded demise of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

There is a parallel, too, with the official reticence in Cuba over the health problems of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who mentored Chavez and is his

Ernesto Villegas closest ally.

By contrast, other Latin American leaders who have in recent years suffered cancer - including from Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay have authorized doctors to release full details.

At first, after being diagnosed with cancer in the pelvic region in mid-2011, Chavez was his own spokesman.

His emotive personality always came through, fighting back tears when explaining the illness then

brimming with joy at declarations of recovery that later proved wrong.

Yet throughout the speeches, there were few hard medical details, rather descriptions of a “baseballsized tumor” or the “miracle” of recovery, and musings on his journey to the “abyss” laced with quotes from German thinker Friedrich Nietzsche.

Many Venezuelans have been going to unofficial internet “sources” to hunt for more about Chavez’s health.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

India warns Kashmiris of Obama would sign short-term possible nuclear attack debt limit increase: White House SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Officials in Indiancontrolled Kashmir are warning residents to be prepared for a possible nuclear war by building build bomb-proof basements and collecting two weeks’ worth of food and water.

Local officials said the advisory was routine, though it was the first time it had been published in a newspaper.

They said it did not signal new concerns about a nuclear attack in the region, repeatedly fought over by nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan.

A series of deadly skirmishes along the ceasefire line in recent weeks has heightened tensions between the two countries, and the timing of the advisory surprised many residents in Srinagar, the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

“This is fueling an atmosphere of fear. Educating people is fine but not this brazen way,” said resident Fayaz Ahmed.

The notice, published Monday by the Kashmir

police in the Greater Kashmir newspaper, advised people to build toilet-equipped basements large enough to house their entire families for two weeks. If there is no basement, residents should construct bunkers in their front yards, the notice advised.

The shelters should be stocked with candles, batteryoperated lights and radios, it said, adding that stores of nonperishable food and water should be regularly replaced to ensure it is fresh.

The notice said that during a nuclear attack, motorists should dive out of their cars toward the blast to save themselves from being crushed by their soon-to-be tumbling vehicles.

“Expect some initial disorientation as the blast wave may blow down and carry away many prominent and familiar features,” it advises.

It also warns residents to keep people contaminated by fallout out of their shelters.

Yoginder Kaul, inspectorgeneral at the civil defense

and state disaster response force, said the advisory was part of a normal campaign to educate the public, and the information has been available on a government website for some time.

“We routinely train and educate people regarding different natural and manmade disasters and that’s our duty. This advertisement too was part of such a campaign.

Please, let’s not read into this beyond that. Let it be clear that this is purely in the nature of educating people and not connected with anything else,” he said.

Both India and Pakistan claim the divided Kashmir region in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.

Earlier this month, three Pakistani soldiers and two Indian soldiers were killed in the worst bout of fighting in Kashmir since a cease-fire accord was signed by the countries in 2003.

In light of the violence, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Sunday he was reviewing future ties with Pakistan.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the Commander in Chief’s Ball during presidential inauguration ceremonies in Washington, Monday. REUTERS/Rick Wilking WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - The White House on Monday welcomed signals by Republican leaders in the House of Representatives that they aim to pass a nearly four-month extension of the debt limit, saying the move defuses fears of a damaging debt default.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a briefing that the Obama administration believed the debt limit should be raised over the longer term instead of in incremental steps, but the shift by House Republicans was a positive sign.

“What happened ... was a very significant development

in terms of de-escalating the sense of conflict over this,” Carney said.

President Barack Obama would not block a short-term extension if it passed Congress, he added.

“The bill still has to overcome some concerns expressed by members of the House and the Senate before it can pass both chambers and reach the president’s desk,” Carney said. “If it does, and it reaches the president’s desk, he would not stand in the way of the bill becoming law.”

The United States is due to run out of room under its congressionally-imposed borrowing limit of $16.4 trillion

sometime between midFebruary and early March.

Congressional Republicans have in the past balked at raising the cap, insisting on matching or greater spending cuts in exchange, and raising the specter of default as a bargaining chip.

But they backed down from that hard line stance at a policy retreat last week, shifting the focus of budget battles with the White House to a March 1 date for automatic deep spending cuts and a March 27 expiration of funding for government agencies and programs. The debt ceiling extension would satisfy borrowing needs to at least May 19.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council plans to vote later yesterday on a draft resolution that condemns North Korea for its December rocket launch and calls for tightening existing U.N. sanctions, council diplomats said.

The U.N. media office confirmed that the 15-nation council would discuss North Korea at a meeting on unrelated issues that begins at 3:00 p.m. EST (2000 GMT) yesterday. U.N. diplomats said on condition of anonymity that they were planning to vote on the U.S. drafted resolution.

The draft was the result of a deal between the United States and China, envoys said.

Even though it does not call for any new sanctions against Pyongyang,

diplomats said China’s support for the resolution represented a significant diplomatic blow to Pyongyang.

The draft, which was sent to the 15 council members, calls for sanctioning a number of additional North Korean entities, including Pyongyang’s space agency, diplomats said on condition of anonymity.

It also adds the head of the North Korean space agency and several other individuals linked to firms involved in the nation’s nuclear and missile industries to the U.N. blacklist, they said.

North and South Korea are still technically at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a treaty.

The United States had wanted to punish North Korea for the rocket launch

with a Security Council resolution that imposed new sanctions against Pyongyang, but Beijing rejected that option.

China is the North’s only major diplomatic ally, although it agreed to U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang after North Korea’s 2006 and 2009 nuclear tests.

North Korea is already banned under Security Council resolutions from developing nuclear and missile technology.

But it has been working steadily on its nuclear test site, possibly in preparation for a third nuclear test, satellite images show.

December’s successful long-range rocket launch, the first to put a satellite in orbit, was a coup for North Korea’s young leader, Kim Jong-un.

U.N. Security Council plans vote on tighter North Korea sanctions

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Life in Lebanon “horrible” for Ex-Goldman director seeks reversal of insider trading conviction Palestinians fleeing Syria: U.N. BEIRUT (Reuters) Palestinian refugees who fled Syria’s war to neighboring Lebanon are living up to 20 in a room with no water, fresh air or electricity, the head of the U.N. agency for Palestinians said yesterday.

Donors needed to do more to help at least 20,000 Palestinians who have already come in from Syria and more than 200 who join them every day to endure “horrible” conditions, U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) chief Filippo Grandi told Reuters.

The near two-year revolt against Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has pushed refugees over all its borders, putting services under pressure and threatening to further destabilize an already fragile region.

Most of the Palestinians crossing Syria’s southwestern border into Lebanon were living with friends and family in existing Palestinian camps set up to take in refugees after the creation of Israel in 1948, Grandi said in an interview.

He had toured the Shatila Palestinian camp and found “the conditions were horrible” for new arrivals.

“The main problem they have is accommodation. They rent small, cramped, very unsanitary premises without running water, without

Filippo Grandi ventilation, without electricity,” he said.

“And sometimes you see rooms in which 12, 15, 20 people live in really substandard conditions.” He met one family living in a dark room with only one candle. “I couldn’t see who I was speaking to,” Grandi said.

Lebanon, the smallest of Syria’s neighbors, already hosts more than 200,000 refugees from Syria but has not set up new camps to house them.

Some politicians fear an influx of majority Sunni Muslim Syrians and Palestinians will tip the demographic balance of a country that is still reeling from its own 15-year civil war.

More than 400,000 Palestinian

refugees already live in Lebanon.

UNRWA asked donors for $13 million to cover costs in Lebanon until June but only half has been donated and the agency thinks more will be needed.

“The donor community must help Lebanon bear the immense burden of this huge refugee problem,” Grandi said.

Before the revolt, Syria hosted half a million Palestinian refugees.

A third were housed in the densely-built apartment blocks of Damascus’ Yarmouk district but most of its residents were forced to flee when fighting erupted there in December.

Grandi said Jordan, which already hosts 2 million Palestinian refugees and their descendents from the ArabIsraeli wars, was turning back Palestinian refugees from Syria, though he did not have figures.

Jordan has said it cannot take in more Palestinian refugees.

“I understand the sensitivity of the issue for the Jordanian authorities,” Grandi said.

“I would like to appeal to (Jordan) to exercise all humanitarian considerations when Palestinian refugees ask to be admitted to Jordanian territory from Syria,” he added.

Britain borrows more, threatening new budget target

LONDON (Reuters) Britain’s government borrowed slightly more than expected in December as the economy continued to struggle, thwarting efforts to erase a large budget deficit and adding to pressure on the country’s top credit rating.

Just over a month after official borrowing forecasts for 2012-13 were revised, economists said the figures showed the Chancellor, George Osborne, was almost certain to miss his new annual target, further endangering a deficit-cutting drive that is already running two years behind.

The government’s preferred measure of public sector borrowing rose to 15.419 billion pounds in the month from 14.848 billion pounds a year earlier, just above a forecast of 15.2 billion pounds.

It was mainly due to a poor growth in revenues, which will bolster criticism that the government has cut too hard and too fast in the public sector to allow the economy to grow.

George Osborne But there were also worrying signs that, with unemployment rising, spending is growing faster than expected, by 5.4 percent on the year compared with a 3.6 percent rise in revenues.

There are a number of windfalls likely to flow into state coffers before the financial year ends in early April, but the most-used measure of borrowing is already 2 billion pounds short

of the 2012-13 target set in December.

“We’re still trying to work out how the government believes they’re going to meet their borrowing requirement this year,” said Tom Vosa from National Australia Bank in London.

“They still seem to be some way off from the target announced in (December).”

The Office of Budget Responsibility, a budget watchdog, said after the data it was still hopeful that the target it set in early December could be met.

It hopes for 3.5 billion pounds from the sale of 4G mobile phone frequencies and another 11.5 billion pounds from the transfer of coupon payments on gilts (bonds) bought by the Bank back to the finance ministry.

But while tax receipts in coming months will be bolstered by income tax returns, the OBR’s hopes of a faster rise in revenues than seen so far are set against growing speculation that the economy may be slipping back into recession.

Rajat Gupta NEW YORK (Reuters) Lawyers for former Goldman Sachs Group Inc board member Rajat Gupta are urging a federal appeals court to reverse his insider trading conviction, arguing that a judge shouldn’t have allowed wiretaps to be heard at trial.

In a brief filed Friday at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, Gupta’s lawyers argued wiretaps of now-imprisoned hedge fund manager Raj Rajaratnam amounted to “hearsay statements” and should not have been presented to the

jury.

“Without a proper basis for admission, these untestable, unreliable hearsay statements had no place in a criminal trial, and their admission alone compels reversal,” Gupta’s lawyers wrote.

A federal jury convicted Gupta, 64, in June of leaking Goldman boardroom secrets to Rajaratnam, the Galleon Group hedge fund manager at the center of a wide-ranging U.S. probe into insider trading.

Gupta, who was at one time head of management consultancy McKinsey & Co, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff to two years in prison. The 2nd Circuit in December said Gupta could remain free on bail while he appeals his conviction.

A trial is scheduled to begin February 11 in a separate civil lawsuit by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Of the four counts Gupta was charged with in the criminal case, his lawyers said Friday that the jury only convicted him on the two backed by wiretaps of Rajaratnam, who is serving an

11-year sentence following his own conviction in May 2011.

Gupta’s lawyers say the wiretaps amounted to hearsay evidence, since they were of conversations between Rajaratnam and other Galleon Group employees, rather than with Gupta.

Gupta’s lawyers said he was also prevented from presenting evidence of an alternative perpetrator and of Gupta’s integrity.

The defense lawyers say they weren’t allowed to present testimony by Gupta’s daughter about a conversation where her father said he was angry at Rajaratnam for allegedly cheating him out of millions of dollars through a joint investment fund known as Voyager Capital Partners.

The conversation took place three days before one of the alleged tips Gupta was convicted on and a month before a second, the brief said. Gupta contends that if the testimony had been presented, the jury would have been led to question Gupta’s motives to tip Rajaratnam.

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Russia says not planning full Syria evacuation MOSCOW (Reuters) Russia said yesterday it had started evacuating scores of citizens who wanted to leave Syria but denied the move was the start of a mass exodus.

Two senior diplomats played down the significance of decision, announced on Monday, to send aircraft to bring Russians home almost two years after the start of the revolt against Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.

“We are not talking about a full evacuation ... It is not planned that everyone will leave,” Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov said, according to state-run news agency ItarTass.

“We are helping those who want to leave,” Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on the sidelines of a meeting in Moscow between Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman.

Russia has been Assad’s most powerful foreign

protector, vetoing three U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed to push the president out or press him to end the bloodshed.

But Bogdanov, President Vladimir Putin’s Middle East affairs envoy, made waves in December when he was quoted as saying Syrian rebels could defeat Assad’s forces and that Russia was making preparations to evacuate its citizens if necessary.

Russian officials have tried to row back since then on the issue of the outcome of the fighting, which has escalated from a crackdown on protests to a civil war.

“At the beginning there were predictions (that the fighting would last) two to three months, four months,” Bogdanov said yesterday.

“The military-political situation could develop in various ways, but we think it (the conflict) may be prolonged.”

Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said on Monday it was sending two planes to

Lebanon yesterday to evacuate more than 100 citizens from Syria.

Three buses carrying Russian citizens crossed the border from Syria into Lebanon yesterday, Itar-Tass reported. Some were expected to arrive in Russia late yesterday or early today. The Emergencies Ministry said it had no information about any further flights.

Russian officials say there are tens of thousands of Russian citizens in Syria, many of them Russian women married to Syrians and their children.

Voice of Russia radio, citing Russian diplomats, said the total figure was more than 33,000, but officials at the Russian consulate in Damascus declined to comment.

Moscow says it has no intention of propping up Assad but insists he must not be pushed from power by outside forces, such as the United Nations, and that his exit must not be a precondition for a peace deal.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

NY Orthodox counselor gets 103 years for sex abuse

Nechemya Weberman NEW YORK (AP) — A respected religious counselor in New York City’s ultraorthodox Jewish community was sentenced yesterday to 103 years in prison for molesting a girl who came to him with questions about her faith.

Nechemya Weberman was convicted in December of 59 counts, including sustained sexual abuse of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and sexual abuse.

The trial put a spotlight on the ultra-orthodox community in Brooklyn and its strict rules that govern clothing, social customs and interaction with the outside world. Both Weberman, 54, and the accuser belonged to the Satmar Hasidic sect.

The teen and her family have been harassed and ostracized, reflecting long-

held beliefs that any conflict must be dealt with from within. During the trial, men were arrested on charges they tried to bribe the accuser and her now-husband to drop the case. Others were accused of snapping photos of her on the witness stand and posting them online.

“I clearly remember how I would look in the mirror. I saw a girl who didn’t want to live in her own skin, a girl whose innocence was shattered, a girl who couldn’t sleep at night because of the gruesome invasion that had been done to her body,” the accuser told the court during the sentencing.

She said she was “a sad girl who wanted to live a normal life but instead was being victimized by a 50-yearold man who forced her to perform sickening acts again and again.”

She expressed hope that by coming forward, she could give strength to other victims of sexual abuse. The Associated Press typically doesn’t identify people who say they are the victims of sexual assault.

The accuser, now 18, had testified that Weberman abused her repeatedly behind his locked office door from the time she was 12 until she was 15.

Her school had ordered her to see Weberman because she had been asking questions about her religion and was dressing immodestly

in violation of the sect’s customs, and it was believed she needed to be helped back on the right path. Weberman wasn’t a licensed counselor but spent decades working with couples and families in his community.

There was no physical evidence of abuse.

The court received dozens of letters from supporters of the defendant who described his life in the community as a counselor and a father. “Nechemya Weberman is innocent of the crimes charged,” defense attorney George Farkas insisted at the sentencing.

Weberman said “no thank you” when asked if he wished to speak. He and his wife had no visible reaction to the sentence. The top charge carried a sentence of 25 years; he got consecutive terms for some of the other charges.

The defense argued that the girl was angry that Weberman had told her parents she had a boyfriend at age 15, forbidden in her community. Attorney Stacey Richman said the case boiled down to a simple “he said, she said,” and the girl was a petulant, calculating liar.

“The only evidence in this case of sexual abuse is the word of” the accuser, Richman told jurors. “She’s making things up in front of you as they occur.”

But the jury took just hours in December to convict Weberman on all counts.

Egypt opposition leader aims to break Islamist dominance

(Reuters) - A coalition of Egyptian opposition groups is forging a common electoral platform as it seeks to capitalise on setbacks for Islamists who have dominated the country’s politics since an Arab Spring uprising.

Hamdeen Sabahy, a firebrand politician who ran for president last year, told Reuters the opposition National Salvation Front coalition could win a parliamentary majority in April if it rises above differences that split its ranks in past elections.

The well-organised Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists could take most seats in the vote but liberals and other opponents look likely to pose a much bigger challenge this time.

They could be aided by growing frustration at the failure of President Mohamed Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood allies to steady an economy hammered by

Hamdeen Sabahy two years of turmoil since autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak was ousted almost two years ago.

“The Front will set aside its differences now in favour of the national goal it is heading for,” Sabahy said in an interview at the headquarters of his Popular Current movement in Cairo.

“Our goal is to prevent one

group’s hegemony in the parliament, the government and the presidency.”

Islamists won about 70 percent of seats in a parliamentary election last year but the assembly was dissolved by court order months later because the electoral rules were deemed to be unconstitutional.

“If the elections are honest and we run with good management, which is what we expect, we will get more than 50 percent of seats,” said Sabahy, 58.

Sabahy said the Front, whose membership ranged from unabashed socialists to nationalists and economic liberals, was forging a common economic platform focused on principles of social justice that united those disparate ideologies.

Sabahy came third in a presidential race last year that Mursi went on to win.

Analysts said liberals or others would have done better had they agreed on a

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 25

Trio charged with $10M Lethem heist/murder Three persons, a woman included, have been charged with last Friday’s deadly heist, which took place at the Lethem Post Office, Rupununi.

Alvin Kissoon, of 395 Caneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara, Calvin King of 280 Savage Street, North East La Penitence and Terrisha Lovell of 96 Campbellville Housing Scheme, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine Beharry, yesterday on a joint allegation of murder and robbery.

The charge states that between January 18 and 19 they murdered Security officer, John Christopher Friday, during a robbery at the

Lethem Post Office and Accounts Office, and thereafter carted off $9,878,796.

The unrepresented trio was not required to enter pleas to the indictable charges. Prosecutor Burgette Grant provided the court with the prosecution’s facts of the case. Grant said between the reported dates of the incident, the accused entered the Post Office and Accounts Department at Lethem. They allegedly tied up and physically brutalised two onduty security officers, one of whom succumbed to the injuries he sustained as a result of the beating.

The accused were later apprehended by the police.

The stolen cash, a quantity

of phone cards and other articles linked to the scene of the crime were recovered in

William Johnson, 49, the man who almost killed his common-law wife, Lilawattie Das, on January 20, last, was remanded to prison on charges of attempted murder and unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to a house.

He had torched the woman’s home on December 14, last, rendering her homeless. Johnson was granted bail in the sum of $15,000 and $5,000 respectively by Magistrate Sunil Scarce on two other charges of threatening and abusive language. However, consideration for bail on the more serious charges was not as easy.

Johnson pleaded not guilty to all four charges and is scheduled to return to court on February 13.

Johnson, a pork knocker, is accused of maliciously torching Das’ house.

Nearly a month later he allegedly attempted to murder Das by stabbing her five times in her back.

Das remains a patient in the Intensive Care Unit at Suddie.

Johnson was in hiding until his capture by police after a confrontation in the back ands of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, while he held Das hostage. He had earlier abducted the woman from her aunt Mala Sookra’s residence.

Das was later rescued by the police and taken to the Suddie Public Hospital after police fired a warning round at Johnson.

When Johnson appeared in court, unrepresented and shirtless, yesterday, he told the court that he is the father of 11 and worked at Port Kaituma as a pork knocker.

And 30-year-old Linden Johnson, also of

Queenstown Village, Essequibo Coast, appeared before Magistrate Scarce, at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court charged with unlawfully and maliciously setting fire to Nelly Sookra’s house on January 18, last. He was released on $150,000 bail.

Johnson, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was represented by counsel, Latchmi Dindyal.

Dindyal told the court that her client is a labourer who resides at his mother’s residence at Queenstown.

She said that her client was not a flight risk and will attend his hearing. However, the prosecutor strongly objected to bail citing the seriousness of the offence.

Nelly Sookra who is currently homeless told the court that she is afraid of Johnson, who she said threatened to kill her.

Alvin Kissoon Calvin King

Two suspected arsonists land in court

$$B bids for Local Govt. security The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development received bids for the provision of security services for Regions two, three, four, five, six and 10.

The bids were opened by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Ministry of Finance, Main Street, yesterday.

In addition, the Local Government Ministry received more bids for the provision of security services for regions of one, seven, eight and nine.

Bids were also opened for the provision of security services for the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

their possession.

Police reports had revealed that two men entered the compound of the Regional Democratic Council at Lethem at around 2:00 hours. The armed men attacked the two defenseless watchmen on duty. The

Terrisha Lovell police said that the attackers assaulted the watchmen after which they were bound and pieces of cloth were stuffed in their mouths.

The two men then broke into five safes using a cutting

torch.

Police later discovered the body of one security identified as John Friday of Culvert City, Lethem, while the other watchman was severely injured. The injured guard was later admitted to the Lethem Hospital.

Following the discovery, all police divisions were notified and later that day police ranks at the Mabura checkpoint stopped and searched a motor car during which over $4M was found hidden under the rear seat.

Two men and a woman were in the vehicle and were afterward detained a police press release had stated.

Subsequent to their appearance at the courthouse, all three accused were remanded until March 5. Their case is scheduled to come up at the Lethem Magistrate’s court on that date.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Nursing Council investigating death of teen at West Dem Hospital - CMO Censorship, suspension or termination is the possible fate that awaits the nursing assistant who attended to 15year-old Shemar Miggins moments before he died at the West Demerara Regional Hospital earlier this month.

Such an outcome will however result if the nursing assistant is found to be culpable for the sudden death of the teenager.

The nursing assistant, according to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, has, since the incident, been

sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

Dr. Persaud disclosed that the matter is currently before the Guyana Nursing Council (GNC) which is tasked with registering as well as disciplining nurses. As part of his gazetted position, the CMO is also a member of the Nursing Council as well as the Guyana Medical Council. He said that the conduct of the nursing assistant, as well as that of her supervisor of the day, has been taken into

consideration as part of his investigation.

According to Dr. Persaud, the nursing assistant is a registered professional who is supervised by a nurse and so at the time of the incident he was informed that a nurse was reportedly supervising the ward.

“We are still trying to put the pieces together and I expect that by this weekend we will be able to provide more information to the media,” the CMO said last week.

He however disclosed

yesterday that an investigation has since been launched by the Nursing Council whose investigation result could see the nursing assistant being censored, whereby her work is closely supervised at all times if she is allowed to return to work.

Also, the Council could decide that the nursing assistant be suspended for a specified period or a decision can even be made that she be completely stricken off the national register of nurses.

Dr. Shamdeo told this

publication that in addition to gaining the attention of the Nursing Council, the case is expected to be brought to the attention of the entire nursing fraternity, with a view of identifying where procedures, if at all, were not followed. He however, disclosed previously that a review of all documents pertaining to the patient reflected that the medical management aspect was undertaken in the correct way, as were the prescriptions, which were all written up in a timely manner.

Even as investigations continue into the circumstances which led to the January 12, 2013 demise of Miggins, the Chief Medical Officer said that he is still awaiting the coroner’s report on the post mortem examination which was conducted on the lad’s

Dead teen, Shemar Miggins remains. He explained that the wait is due to the fact that the matter is being investigated by the police.

This, he said, is because the matter was reported to the police who had in fact facilitated the PM examination that was witnessed by health officials.

“I am still awaiting a report on that because there was a request for a number of tests.

A toxicology test has to be done as well,” said the Chief Medical Officer yesterday.

Soldier died from lung failure, heart blockage

A post mortem examination performed on the remains of Eon Blair, the soldier who collapsed during a fitness run and subsequently died, has confirmed that the man died from lung failure and heart blockage.

The cause of death was revealed on Monday by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh.

The father of two collapsed on Friday in the vicinity of Umana Yana, High Street, during an annual fitness run. He was taken to the Guyana Defence Force’s medical centre in Camp Ayanganna before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead.

Yesterday, Blair’s uncle, Eward Reynolds, said that his nephew never experienced any medical problems

Dead: Eon Blair pertaining to his lungs and heart. He claimed that Blair had a history of high blood pressure and “nothing else that I know of.” Lance Corporal Eon Blair served the Guyana Defence Force for the past nine years.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Pomeroon boat crash…

Cops may receive file this week It’s been a month since six people lost their lives in a boat collision in the Pomeroon River, and police officials hope that they will know this week whether charges will be laid against the captain of the Region Two vessel.

Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell told Kaieteur News on Monday that a report is still with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He said that he understands that the DPP had sought clarification in some aspects of the case.

However, the Top Cop expressed the hope that the file will be handed over to police this week.

Investigators from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) have already recommended that the captain of the Region Two vessel be charged, but did not specify what the charges should be.

A preliminary investigation found failure to render assistance to the victims as one of several breaches of maritime regulations that occurred during and after the incident.

MARAD had advised, via a letter on December 20, 2012, that the Commander of ‘G’ Division begins instituting charges “in keeping with the requisite regulations relative to this incident.”

The MARAD investigation revealed that the collision occurred after “one or both captains” failed to observe the international regulation for preventing collision at sea and the

Guyana Shipping Act of 1998 Sect 225 (1).

The probe also found that a number of breaches had occurred in the Collision Regulations. They included failing to maintain a proper lookout at all times; failing to proceed at a safe speed so as to take proper and effective action to avoid collision; failing to alter the vessel’s course to starboard and failing to render assistance to operator and passengers.

However, MARAD officials have said that no charges will be laid against any of the passengers who were present when the mishap occurred.

A MARAD source also confirmed that the Captain has been suspended from operating any vessel until the investigation is completed.

The collision occurred in the vicinity of Siriki/Adam’s Creek in the Pomeroon River at around 17:30 hrs on December 18. All the victims were from the boat that was struck by the Regional Administration vessel.

Those who died included boat captain Harrinarine Bhagwandin, 42; Velda Rodrigues, 50; Vincent Singh, 40; Shawn Anthony, 14 - all of Adams Creek; along with 14-yearold Rajkumar Singh, and his 10-year-old sister Amrita Singh, of Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast.

The lone survivor was 12year-old Eli Orlando of Adams Creek.

Nations University set to launch fourth batch of MBA programme Come Monday, the Australian Institute of Business (AIB) in collaboration with Nations University will be holding a Public Information Session at Nations University on its 12month MBA programme .

AIB’s Marketing Director, Mr Joel Abraham, will present the session from 18:00 hours.

Dr Brian O ’ To o l e , Director of Nations University, said that the partnership that Nations University has with AIB adds to the existing partnerships with other accredited educational institutions worldwide, among them Cambridge University, London University, the Institute of Commercial Management and the Advanced Business Executives.

AIB currently has thousands of current and graduated students in more

than 15 centres in 10 locations internationally, which include Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, St Lucia, Malaysia, Singapore, Namibia, Vietnam and England.

The MBA is fully accredited within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), Dr O’Toole said. AIB is also listed with the International Association of Universities.

The entire MBA is said to be the most economical MBA programme available in the Guyanese market.

Nations University is now set to begin the fourth batch of the MBA programme in March.

To date 64 persons have enrolled in the first three batches of the MBA with 20 set to Graduate in August.

Page 27

Oil hunt intensifies

With the hunt for oil set to intensify, the government says it will not sacrifice the environment on the altar of prosperity.

This is according to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud.

He said that there is a hive of activity ongoing in all three areas of oil potential in Guyana - namely offshore, nearshore and the Takutu Basin.

Persaud said that interest is so high that the authorities are unable to meet the demand for prospecting licences.

Persaud was speaking at the opening of a workshop to help various government

- Govt. says environment will not be sacrificed

ministries and departments manage the early phases of oil and gas exploration. The U.S Embassy is facilitating the workshop on environmental risk management through the U.S Department of Interior.

Persaud said that Government has developed within its laws, robust regulations to safeguard the environment.

U.S Ambassador Brent Hardt said that Guyana’s looming transition to an energy-producing nation could offer a critical and transformative point in time in

Guyana’s history.

“Today, Guyana stands at a key juncture in its history as it surveys promising extraction opportunities, phenomenal timber resources and mineral wealth including gold, diamonds, bauxite and manganese, while striving to preserve resources for the future and to develop a programme for sustainable growth,” Hardt stated.

He said this wealth from the resources is now on the verge of being significantly enhanced by the possibility of oil discovery and the likelihood of Guyana

transitioning to an energyproducing nation.

“We all realise the great potential for national wealth that Guyana possesses, and yet we must all recognise the importance of Guyana’s incredible natural beauty and its wilderness,” Hardt stated.

He said that it is critical for Guyana to not only utilise its abundant natural resources, but to also take steps to ensure this is done wisely, including protecting the vast water supplies and the rainforests.

The US Ambassador said that the government’s low carbon development strategy shows that it is serious about protecting the environmental while utilising the country’ s natural resources.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55 hrs. Sign On 09:00 hrs. GMA 10:00 hrs. Live! With Kelly and Michael 11:00 hrs. The Ricki Lake Show

Wednesday January 23, 2013

12:00 hrs. The View 13:00 hrs. Prime News 13:30 hrs. The Young and the Restless 14:30 hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 15:00 hrs. The Talk 16:00 hrs. Steve Harvey 17:00 hrs. The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:00 hrs. APNU LIVE 19:00 hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00 hrs. Channel 8 News 21:00 hrs. Criminal Minds (Repeat) 22:00 hrs. Criminal Minds (New Episode) 23:00 hrs. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

(Repeat) 00:00 hrs. Sign Off NCN CHANNEL 11 05:00 hrs - Inspiration 05:30 hrs - Newtown Gospel 06:00 hrs - BBC 07:00 hrs - Guyana Today 08:00 hrs - Guysuco Round up (R/B) 08:30 hrs - Close Up 09:00 hrs - Stop the Suffering 10:00 hrs - CCTV 11:00 hrs - History 12:00 hrs - CNN 12:30 hrs - NCN Newsbreak 12:35 hrs - Unprecedented Transformation: East Bank Corridor- GINA

13:05 hrs - African Moves (R/B) 14:05 hrs - Movie 16:00 hrs - Cartoons 17:00 hrs - Anderson 18:00 hrs - NCN News Magazine – Live 18:30 hrs - Oral Tradition 19:00 hrs - Al Jazeera 20:00 hrs - 3d/daily millions/ play de dream/lotto draw 20:05 hrs - NCN Newsbreak 20:10 hrs - National Song Festival r/b 21:00 hrs - NCN Sports Magazine 22:05 hrs - Eid Meelaud Un Nabi 02:00 hrs - Movie 04:00 hrs - BBC

Guides are subjected to change without notice

Wednesday January 23, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your thoughts are running ahead of your emotions today and you’re eager to share your conclusions. However, it gets more difficult to speak your piece as the day wears on.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may be annoyed if reality gives you negative feedback today, but you respect what you hear from a trustworthy friend. However, you might run into a snag that would deter someone with less determination than you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It’s very frustrating if you can imagine where you want to go, but are not allowed to go there yet. You might not even feel secure enough to share your plans with anyone else now.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may be limited by your own lack of confidence today rather than by any specific situation. You can be quite self-critical, but negative judgments are not the current problem. Repressed fears could be keeping you from the journey of your lifetime.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may run into walls today as you put yourself out there, even if your plan is a good one. Perhaps you could avoid additional opposition if you take time to prepare yourself for any possible objections in advance.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Sometimes it’s your job as a Scorpio to delve beneath the surface, but it may not be easy today to get the information you seek. Your probing mind has gone as far as it can, yet you still don’t believe you have all the answers.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You may try to explain your position as clearly as you can, only to have someone negate your best ideas today.

Don’t doubt yourself, for a minor setback is reality’s way of inspiring you toward greater excellence.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You might be more concerned with the limitations of the real world than you are with your feelings today as the reflective Moon aligns with your key planet, Saturn.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You might not be ready to jump into the fray yet, even if everyone else appears to be having fun. You don’t like feeling separate from all the action, but you can’t join in until you’ve met your previous obligations.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your boss may be the source of trouble today, or, perhaps, you experience a setback on a current project.

Don’t take whatever obstacles you encounter now as signs of defeat.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You are distracted by someone’s unexpected shenanigans at work today, but you may not want to become too involved. You can see right through the surface noise and understand why an unimportant issue has become a big deal.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It may be better to wait for others to catch up to your way of thinking today before acting on your brilliant ideas. Even if you’re on a roll, something could occur now that makes you feel vulnerable, giving you a reason to re-evaluate your current direction.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

17 years & counting, FML renews RHTY&SC U-15 sponsorship

FML Marketing Officer Deylon Josiah (left) hands over the sponsorship to Hilbert Foster while FML staff share the moment.

The long standing and highly successful relationship between the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) and Farfan & Mendes Ltd (FML) was on Thursday last renewed for the 17th successive year.

At its Urquhart Street Headquarters, FML handed over a cheque for $200,000 representing sponsorship of the club’s Under-15 team for this year.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster collected the cheque from FML Marketing Officer Deylon Josiah and hailed the relationship between the two entities as unique and special. The Company which became the official sponsor of the team in 1992 has invested millions

of dollars resulting in 11 national Under-15 players, 43 for Berbice, one for the West Indies and four Berbice championships.

Players produced by the Rose Hall Town Farfan &Mendes Under-15 team include Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Delbert Hicks, Abdel Fudadin, Shawn Pereira and Dominique Rikhi.

The team has won the last two Berbice Under-15 titles and over the past 16 years completed over 400 Personal Development Programmes under the headings of Charity, Pro-education, Antidrugs, Cricket, Youth and Community Development.

Foster expressed gratitude to the Management of the company for their

continued confidence in the Club while pledging that the Under-15 team would continue to uphold their usual high standards.

FML Marketing Manager Onai Vasconcellos stated that his company was pleased to be associated with the Club as it has successfully promoted the Company’s brand.

The Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes Under-15 Team has started its preparation for the Berbice Cricket Board Tenelec Inc. Tournament which started last year. Daniel Lewis is the Captain with Brandon Prashad as his deputy while Patrick Lewis will serve as Manager and Michael Hyles Franco as Head Coach.

Kwesi ‘Lightening Struck Assassin’...

From page 41 This is a 6 rounds super/ bantamweight affair and already Williamson, who knocked out Rudolph Fraser in his last fight, has promised to ill treat his former coach.

Rogers has scoffed at the remark even as he remains adamant that Williamson still has a lot to learn. The promoters have also drafted in a welterweight bout between Anson Green and Berbician Dereck Richmond to compensate for the aborted Jones/Cox shindig. Those two will battle over 4 rounds.

Meanwhile, the executive of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) in its bid

to enhance the fortunes of its charges have identified eight pugilists to participate on the card. Jaimie Kellman of the Young Achievers (YA) will oppose Kevon Mullings of the Harpy Eagles in the 5559lbs category, while John Moore of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) will battle Shaquille Simon of the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym (PRBG).

Their bout will be in the 70-74lbs class. Cordel Walcott of the Essequibo Boxing Gym (EBG) will then oppose Tyron Lashley of the Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ) in the 90-94lbs class while Quincy Boyce (GDF) and David Moore

(RHJ) will bring the amateur segment to a close in the 119124lbs.

Tournament Organizer of the GBA Terrence Poole reiterated that his executive will be paying keen attention to the nursery as they continue to focus on the boxers’ development with an aim of posing a formidable team in the 2016 Brazil Olympiad. He said that the Friday Night Fights will be used as one of the launching pads to achieve this goal.

Patrons will be required to pay an admission fee of $1000 while children will be allowed in for $500. Bell time is 20:00hrs sharp.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Donation to UCCA gets RHTY&SC 2013 programme underway The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) on Wednesday launched its 2013 Programme with a donation to the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) which consisted of a large trophy, stationery, caps, tee shirts, score books and large envelopes among others.

The donation was done

by the cricket teams of the Club; Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and the First Division teams.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster at the handing over

ceremony stated that they had set themselves a target of 175 programmes/activities for 2013 noting that this year special emphasis would be placed on assisting other clubs in Berbice. He noted that they are committed to lifting the standard of the game at every level. Over the years Foster disclosed the

Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club had donated millions of dollars worth of items to over 100 clubs in the Ancient County and would continue to do so in the future.

Addressing the large audience of members of Upper Corentyne clubs, Foster urged them to work hard, remain discipline and to

Upper Corentyne association receives their donation from the RHTY&SC. make sure that they zoom in on cricket development and not personal rewards.

Chairman of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, Dennis D’ Andrade expressed gratitude to the Club while pledging that the association would work to lift the standard of the game in the area.

The trophy, worth $35,000 would be used in a fundraising T20 tournament organised by the Upper Corentyne Cricket

Association on January 27 at the Skeldon Community Centre Ground. The tournament would be played between Skeldon, Upper Corentyne, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets and Universal DVD Young Warriors.

Berbice power house Albion Community Centre was invited but declined to be part of the tournament which would raise funds to develop cricket in an area blessed with numerous natural talent.

GCA\Hadi’s World Inc. 1st Div.

Blyden century propels GDF to innings victory over GYO Guyana Defence Force defeated Gandhi Youth Organization by an innings and 139 runs when play in the latest action of the Georgetown Cricket Association\Hadi’s 1st division 2 day competition concluded last Sunday at GDF. In reply to GDF 1st innings score of 351-7 declared, GYO crashed to 66 all out in 33 overs after the started the final day on 29-1.

Fenton Persaud made 16 as Nakeitho Nestor took 2-7, Jeremiah Harris 2-12 and

Trevon Garraway 2-35.

After being asked to follow on, GYO were bowled out for 146 in 53.1overs.

Persaud top scored with 45(6x4, 1x6), while Shivindra Hemraj scored 25 and Loakesh Reid 14. Paul Castello grabbed 3-25, Jeremiah Harris 2-20 and Dennis Lagay 2-23.

G.D.F’s score was built around 101 (11X4, 1X6) from Travis Blyden, Captain Paul Castello (66) Trevon Garraway (55) and Marcus Watkins 44.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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T&T look to govt to secure their stars for Champions League ESPNcricinfo - Azim Bassarath, the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Association, has asked the country’s government to help ensure that T&T players represent their country and not the IPL franchises in the 2013 Champions League T20.

T&T qualified for the CLT20 for the third time in a row and fourth time overall out of five editions - after beating Guyana in the Caribbean T20 on Sunday. T&T made it to the inaugural CLT20, in 2009, and then the 2011 and 2012 editions. In the inaugural tournament, several of their players caught the eye with their performances, and they finished runners-up behind New South Wales. Those performances - and the ones

that followed in later editions - got some of their players, including Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Kevon Cooper, IPL contracts.

Thereafter, based on which IPL teams qualified for the CLT20, these players and Dwayne Bravo - who had an IPL contract from the outset represented the franchises ahead of T&T in the tournament.

“For the past two years that we went to the Champions League, T&T didn’t have their best players available. This year, I want to ask for the assistance of the government,” Bassarath was quoted as saying in the Trinidad Express. “What I think we should do is that, as early as possible, put

something in place where we can negotiate with the personnel of the Indian Premier League, asking and begging and requesting that we have available to us all our international stars.”

Bassarath pointed out that this could possibly be the last time that T&T, the country, is represented at the CLT20; from next season, the Caribbean Premier League, a franchise-based tournament, will replace the region-based Caribbean T20 as the West Indies’ domestic T20 competition. He said: “We should leave no stone unturned to make sure that we have our best team available for the 2013 Champions League. If we [the officials] have to travel [to

Pakistan Super League: players warned over safety BBC Sport - International cricketers are being strongly advised to reject lucrative offers from Pakistan’s new Twenty20 league because of security concerns.

Organisers of the $100m Pakistan Super League say they have had interest from England, South Africa and Australia. But the global players’ union (Fica) has “significant concerns” over safety. Fica chief executive Tim May told BBC Sport: “I think you’ll find the majority of current international cricketers will heed our advice.”

Pakistan has not hosted international cricket since armed militants attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009. Bangladesh were due to send a team to tour the country in January, but cancelled in December due to security concerns. Fica employed independent security consultants to assess the current level of danger in Pakistan before urging players not to take part in the tournament, which runs from 26 March to 7 April.

“The security consultants came back and said that the risk of touring Pakistan in a cricketing sense is unmanageable,” added former Australia off-spinner May. “I haven’t spoken directly to any players but the feedback we are getting from player associations throughout the world is that players are very appreciative and understanding of the advice.

“We can’t force the

players not to go but I think you’ll find the majority, if not all, of current international cricketers will heed that advice and, unfortunately for Pakistan, not participate in this event this year.”

In its email to all domestic player unions, Fica said security experts had reported 130 terrorists attacks in Pakistan since September 2012.

They were also concerned that troubles could escalate in March, when Pakistan will be holding government elections.

Fica’s stance was echoed

by England’s Professional Cricketers Association, which is urging English players to miss the event. “The advice we are giving is that although we would love there to be a Twenty20 competition in Pakistan - we think it would be wonderful in cricketing terms - it is simply not safe to do it,” PCA chief executive Angus Porter told BBC Sport.

Players are not obliged to follow their unions’ advice, although county cricketers will only be allowed to compete if they receive a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the England and Wales Cricket Board. The PCA also raised concerns over the finances of the Bangladesh Premier League but several English players, including Ravi Bopara, Owais Shah and Phil Mustard, are currently taking part in that event. The hard line from player associations will be a blow to the Pakistan Cricket Board, which is billing its competition as Pakistan’s

answer to the Indian Premier League and hoping it can entice international cricketers back to the country.

At a glitzy launch event last week, featuring Pakistan players past and present, PSL managing director Salman Sarwar Butt claimed players from South Africa, Australia, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Ireland had expressed interest in the five-team competition to be held in Lahore.

Butt says the league which has also hired former International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat as a consultant - will be worth $100m, with funding believed to be emanating from Pakistani mobile phone companies and Pakistani businessmen based in the United Arab Emirates.

Majid Haq, a hard-hitting Scotland all-rounder who played in the 2007 World Cup, says he still plans to put his name forward for the PSL player auction after missing out on the Bangladesh league.

“I’m keen to give it a try,” he said. “I have a Pakistani background - my parents were born there and I still have strong links with Pakistan.

“I think it would be great for overseas players to go over there and show that Pakistan is a safe country.

Cricketers in Pakistan are treated the same way as footballers so it would be high-level security. Hopefully players will be brave enough to go.”

Trinidad & Tobago players celebrate a wicket (WICB) India] before the tournament, as I said before, we should travel and we will be begging the Government in that regard.”

Last year too, there was uncertainty over who the players would represent after

the T&T sports minister, Anil Roberts, said that Pollard, Bravo and Narine would play for the country in the CLT20 instead of their respective IPL teams. An ‘agreement’ had been reached with the three

players to represent their national team, he said.

However, the three still turned out for Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in the tournament.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

West Indies cricket chief foresees workable relationship with players association Jamaica Observer NEWLY appointed Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Michael Muirhead believes the once strained relationship between the regional governing body and the players’ union (WIPA) is growing mellow, and he foresees a future where the two groups can work together for the improvement of the

regional sport.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer at Melbourne Cricket Club’s annual dinner and awards function recently, the WICB’s CEO noted that he has an excellent relationship with the players association and its president, Wavell Hinds, and believes the malicious relations that have marred their relationship in recent

times is now a thing of the past.

“I have heard about this thing with WIPA, but I have an excellent relationship with them... and I think they are definitely changing, as the whole dispensation of the tug-of-wars and always at each others’ throat is now history,” he stated.

Muirhead noted that he was recently invited as guest

speaker at WIPA’s annual general meeting (AGM) — an indication that the oncebitter relationship is mellowing.

“That speaks volumes, because it has not been done in a long time. So the relationship between the WICB and my counterpart Michael Hall and WIPA president Wavell Hinds is definitely improving,” he said.

The soft-spoken, mildmannered Muirhead also insisted that there is no sense in continuing to fight each other, and that compromises must be reached if the parties are to arrive at amicable solutions on the variety of sensitive issues affecting the region’s cricket.

“It serves no purpose to keep going at each others’ throat... we must come together and look for settlements in areas that need to be settled and compromise where we have to compromise,” he said.

“But I would like to think that the relationship with the WIPA president (Wavell Hinds) is good,” he said.

He noted that in Hinds’s capacity as a sport presenter on SportsMax he sometimes comes across as honest and blunt, but Muirhead believes he is only being a good, objective journalist.

“We have no animosity whatsoever against each other and I always speak highly of Wavell. And I have no problem facing the challenges they may want to bring to us.

“Because some may think

Michael Muirhead these are contentious issues, but they are not... they are just issues that are of interest to the players.

“And I would like to see the players get the benefits of what is due to them, but there is a manner in which we must do it,” he said, because we can’t expect that we will always get all that we want, and so that’s the element of compromise that I spoke of,” he added.

Man Utd buys out BSkyB stake in club’s TV channel LONDON (Reuters) Premier League football club Manchester United have taken full ownership of their in-house television channel by buying out a minority stake held by pay TV broadcaster BSkyB. MUTV was set up as a three-way joint venture in 1998 between the club, BSkyB and commercial broadcaster ITV. United acquired ITV’s stake in 2007 and said the latest deal would allow it control over content and distribution of a channel available in 57 countries.

Financial terms were not disclosed. MUTV employs around 60 people and has offices in central Manchester and facilities at the club’s Old Trafford Stadium and training ground.

The United channel offers in-depth interviews and archive action from United, who claim to have more than 650 million followers worldwide. It does not show live Premier League games.

Media companies invested in a number of top English football clubs in the late 1990s, eager to try to tie

up content deals that would help drive digital television take-up.

BSkyB tried to buy out United in 1999 but the British government blocked the deal on competition grounds.

Those ownership ties have largely unravelled in recent years as the 20 Premier League clubs have opted to sell their television rights collectively to broadcasters including BSkyB. United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea bought out B S k y B ’s s t a k e i n t h e i r digital media business last year.

United are now owned by the American Glazer family who retained a tight grip on the club after a flotation on the New York Stock Exchange last year.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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SAMUELS ‘NOT WELL LIKED’ - WHITE ESPNcricinfo - Cameron White, the Melbourne Stars batsman, has labelled as “remarkable” the reprimand given to his Melbourne Renegades opponent Marlon Samuels over the altercation that earned Shane Warne a one-match BBL suspension.

White has also refused to apologise for not going to the aid of Samuels when he suffered a severe facial injury from a Lasith Malinga bouncer later in the same match.

Warne was banned for a match after he grabbed the shirt of Samuels during the second innings of the January 6 game and while Samuels was also charged with breaching the Code of Conduct, his hearing was delayed by a fortnight due to his injury.

Samuels was let off with a reprimand after the Code of Conduct commissioner John Price ruled that Samuels threw his bat after “extreme provocation” from Warne, who had just thrown a ball that hit Samuels.

However, the problems had started with an incident

player who came to check on his welfare was the bowler, Malinga. The injury proved to be serious enough to rule Samuels out of the upcoming ODI series against Australia and meant he was confined

Marlon Samuels

Cameron White

earlier in the match when Samuels was bowling and appeared to grab the Stars batsman David Hussey, who was turning to complete a second run. The charge that emerged from that incident, that Samuels “engaged in deliberate or inappropriate physical contact with a player or official”, was dismissed.

“Being provoked, I don’t think you can use that as an excuse,” White said in

Melbourne on Tuesday. “It’s remarkable, isn’t it? How many times have you seen someone throw their cricket bat on a cricket field and get [reprimanded] for being extremely provoked? I’ve never seen it before. That’s what the judiciary came up with.”

The heated nature of the match continued when Samuels was struck by a bouncer and the only Stars

to his hotel room for the past two weeks, but White said there were a number of reasons the Stars players did not come to Samuels’ aid.

“I don’t think he’s very well-liked, definitely not just

from the Stars’ point of view but probably in Australian cricket,” White said. “People think he carries on a bit.

There’s probably a few reasons [we didn’t check on him]. We were quite busy.”

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

India search for series win to celebrate No. 1 spot

Ravindra Jadeja has played an important role in both of India’s wins © BCCI

ESPNcricinfo - How quickly this series has turned.

In the first ODI in Rajkot, India were beaten in conditions that they usually prosper in, and coming on the heels of the series defeat to Pakistan, India’s home oneday prowess was under the scanner. Alastair Cook and Ian

Bell had looked masterful as they put on 158, England’s highest opening partnership against India.

In the next match, 158 was all what the entire England team managed. In the third ODI, England couldn’t even muster that, keeling over for 155 and were looking more

and more like the hapless outfits that suffered 5-0 reverses in their previous two visits.

There is talk of this being an inexperienced England side, though their biggest concern this series is the faltering top order which is packed with players who

have been around for years.

The only significant batting absentee is Jonathan Trott, whose un-flamboyant batting has typically split opinion over his place in the one-day side despite an unimpeachable average nearing 50.

In his absence, his value is continuing to grow.

India, on the other hand, are now atop the world rankings, and what is traditionally their weaker department - the bowling - has flourished in the previous two matches.

The much-derided Ravindra Jadeja has turned in influential performances in both victories, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has compensated for his lack of pace with movement to trouble the top order.

Virat Kohli, the ICC’s ODI Player of the Year, also shrugged aside his indifferent recent form to pocket his first Man-of-the-Match award of 2013 in the last match. One more win will wrap up the series and give some relief to

a side that has weathered plenty of criticism in recent times.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ajinkya Rahane spent much of the past year carrying drinks, having been part of the Indian squad in all three formats without getting too many matches.

Finally, in this series, he has got chances, but has been bowled through the gate early by Steven Finn in the last two ODIs. He will have fond memories of Mohali, though, winning his only ODI Man-of-the-Match award the last time these two sides played here.

While not the flashiest of batsman, Joe Root has shown his ability to stabilise the innings when his more experienced colleagues have come up short. On the flat track in Rajkot, he was shunted down the order to allow more expansive batsmen time in the middle, but with the team struggling in the next two games, he took over the steadying role that Trott has perfected.

TEAM NEWS England are considering a couple of changes to their XI. They are toying with the idea of bringing in Jos Buttler as wicketkeeper-batsman for Craig Kieswetter, and Jade Dernbach, who now has the unwanted record of being the most expensive among ODI bowlers who have sent down 1000 deliveries, could make way for Stuart Meaker.

Steven Finn injured his finger during a fielding drill but is expected to be fit in time for the match.

India are likely to go in with the same XI that served them so well in the previous two victories.

PITCH AND CONDITIONS England are now left needing to win both the remaining matches in the series, but one consolation is that the next match will be in Mohali, where the track traditionally favours the quick bowlers and the temperatures will be in the mid-teens conditions which Ian Bell termed as ‘English’.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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We can compete with Red Bull, says Mercedes new boy Hamilton - make first official outing for German team Daily Mail - Lewis Hamilton insists Mercedes can compete in the top echelon of Formula One despite the team’s troubles last year.

After ending his 15-year association with McLaren at the end of last season, Hamilton made his first official appearance for Mercedes on Monday when he was given a tour of their factory in Stuttgart.

Hamilton joins a team who limped to a lowly fifth in the constructors’ championship last year.

But the 2008 world champion, who will have a new boss at the Brackley-

based outfit after Williams shareholder Toto Wolff joined the team as an executive director, believes he can compete with his former team McLaren, and Red Bull and Ferrari this season.

‘I live to win,’ said Hamilton. ‘That’s what I work towards every year. So that’s what we’re going to work to this year.

‘Of course it’s going to be tough to compete, to beat the guys that are already at the front like the Red Bulls and the Ferraris and McLarens but I don’t think it’s impossible.’

After six grands prix season with McLaren which

heralded one world championship, Hamilton believes he is set for his toughest assignment yet.

‘I think this year’s going to be an interesting year, an interesting journey,’ Hamilton added.

‘Learning and getting to know new people and working with new people is always a massive challenge so that’s first and foremost one of the biggest challenges I have.

‘And after that it’s trying to succeed, trying to extract the most out of them and viceversa. But I think it’s going to be a journey that we are going to enjoy.’

Keen competition expected in Mayor Green 7-a-side Inter Ward Football finals -action set for tomorrow’s Youman Nabi holiday Keen competition will be the order of the day tomorrow when the Mayor Hamilton Green 78th Birth Anniversary 7-a-side Inter Ward knockout Football finals will be contested, Youman Nabi day, at Den Amstel ground on the West Coast of Demerara starting from 18:00 hrs.

Several West Demerara teams are into the latter stages and home fans are expected to come out in their numbers to root for their teams. Several home grown and good players will also be on show during the action.

They will be led by Ashley Harding of Goed Fortuin, Uitvlugt’s Jahal Harvey, Owen McGarrell of Stewartville and Andre Hector representing Den Amstel. Harvey, Hector and Harding are Under-20 national players and bring a higher level to the contest that the fans have enjoyed and will look forward to tomorrow.

The action opens with two exhibition games being played before the Quarterfinals with Sarah Lodge coming up against Pouderoyen at 18:00 hrs and Wales taking on Bagotville from 18:30 hrs.

Stewartville will battle Alberttown from 19:00 hrs in the first Quarterfinal, while Goed Fortuin will clash with Newtown Kitty in the second

Ashley Harding

Jamaal Harvey

Owen McGarrell

Andre Hector

game which is set for 19:30 hrs.

At 20:00 hrs Uitvlugt and Grove will clash for a place in the final four and Den Amstel will entertain Kingston at 20:30 hrs.

The winner of Quarterfinal one will play the winner of Quarterfinal 3 in the first semifinal match which will get underway from 21:00 hrs, and the winner of Quarterfinal two

will take on the winner of Quarterfinal four in the second semi at 21:30 hrs.

Crane and Jetty will come up against each other in another exhibition game before the final which is expected to get cracking from 23:00 hrs. The first place team will take home $200,000 and the runner up will receive $100,000.

Lewis Hamilton (pictured) during a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart (EPA)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

CLARKE SPRAINS ANKLE AT TRAINING ESPNcricinfo - Australia’s bid to salvage a 2-2 series draw against Sri Lanka is likely to be made without the captain Michael Clarke, who is an unlikely starter for Wednesday’s fifth ODI in Hobart after suffering a sprained ankle in a training mishap. Clarke rolled his ankle as the team prepared for the final match of a series they can only level at 2-2 following Sunday’s wash-out in Sydney, and was due to have the injury assessed during yesterday afternoon.

But he is extremely doubtful to recover in time, leaving George Bailey likely to lead the team at Bellerive Oval. Bailey stood in at the pre-match captain’s press conference and said Clarke would be given until the last minute on Wednesday to prove his fitness.

“He’s heading off for a scan now,” Bailey told reporters in Hobart.

“Hopefully it’s all clear. He’ll be given right up until the toss tomorrow to prove that he’s right to go. Hopefully that scan is clear. There will

obviously be a little bit of pain but if he’s 100% he’ll play.”

If Clarke is sidelined it will weaken Australia’s batting line-up significantly. Unless the selectors call in another batsman as cover, Glenn Maxwell and Moises Henriques would likely both play as batting allrounders at Nos. 6 and 7.

“I think if you’re replacing Michael Clarke with anyone it’s a step down, and that’s no disrespect to whoever needs to replace him, but he’s an outstanding player,” Bailey said. “Whenever you’re losing the experience and calibre of player it’s a challenge, which hopefully guys step up into. That’s what we’re hoping.

“That’s what we’ve lacked in the last couple of games, is someone stepping up as an individual or even in a batting partnership to fill the gaps that Michael Hussey leaving and Ricky Ponting leaving has created. With that comes huge opportunity.

“That’s the word we keep using and that’s still there. If individuals within the group

can stand up, particularly at the top of the order, and settle the change rooms down, get a good partnership going, then we saw in Melbourne how well the guys can bat.”

Bailey acknowledged that Australia’s batsmen had struggled to deal with a trio of matches where the ball has seamed and swung, having particular trouble with the inswingers of Nuwan Kulasekara.

“He has been very accurate and swung the ball nicely,” Bailey said. “There is an art to that itself, when the ball is swinging to still have the control to land it where you want and there is no doubt he is bowling well and putting the ball almost exactly where he wants it more times than not.” “The challenge for us is to combat that ... whether that is doing something different as a batsman, being a little sharper with your feet, putting him off his game, whatever it might be, hoping he has a bit more of an off day.

There is no doubt he is at the top of his game at the moment.

“I think it’s a challenge.

Facing good spin is a challenge. That’s cricket. In a nutshell, the swinging ball is

Michael Clarke

always what bowlers try and produce because it’s the hardest ball to play as a

batsman. That’s always going to be the type of bowling that will challenge batters.”

Wednesday January 23, 2013

BCB/Bobcat T20 tourney...

Led by a fine all-round performance from former National Under-15 player Sanjay Khan, Young Warriors Universal DVD defeated arch rivals Tucber Park by 5 wickets to win the first ever BCB/Bobcat of Guyana T20 tournament.

Watched by a sizeable crowd at the Cumberland Ground, Canje, Khan took 2 for 17 and then scored an attractive 32 to spearhead the home team.

The tournament was organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for teams in the New Amsterdam/Canje area with a total of 25 participating.

Batting first, Tucber Park amassed 109 for 8 off; Joemal La Fleur led with 33 (4x4), Nial Smith 15 and Charles Shepherd 13. Bowling for Young Warriors, Hubern Evans took 2 for 15 from 4 overs and Sanjay Khan 2 for 17 from 4 overs.

In response, National Under-19 player Shimron Hetmyer hit an attractive 30 (2x4 3x6). Khan and Hetmyer added 40 crucial runs for the 2nd wicket after Mortimer Fraser was caught behind for four off the bowling of Nial Smith for 04.

Following the dismissal of Hetmyer, who was stumped off Joemal La Fleur at 52 for 2 in the 10th over, Kamchand

Kaieteur News

Young Warriors Universal DVD beats Tucber Park to title Ramnarine, was bowled by off spinner Andrew Williams for 2 at 55 for 3 but Khan and veteran Randolph Baker added 34 runs for the 4th wicket before Khan was dismissed by medium pacer Orlando Tanner for 32.

Tanner then forced Baker to retire hurt after a sharp bouncer struck him in the face, resulting in severe injury to his mouth.

Baker had to be rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital with blood gushing from the injury.

Suresh Dhanai (3) and Kassim Khan (2) both unbeaten, then carried Young Warriors Universal DVD to victory as they ended on 112 for 5 in 18.3 overs. Bowling for Tucber Park Tanner and Kevin Pellew took one wicket each.

Earlier in the day, Kendall’s Union of No. 19 Village defeated Flying Star of the East Bank of Berbice by 5 runs in an exciting third place playoff.

Batting first, Kendall’s Union rattled up 140 for 6 from 20 overs; Tony Garnett hitting 43 not out and Mahendra Mangra 40. Bowling for Flying Star, Quincy De Velde took 2 wickets for 19. De Velde returned with the bat to score a brilliant 74 not out but his team fell short at 135 for 8.

Chris Yadram claimed 2 for 17

The winning Young Warriors Universal DVD team pose with their trophies after the contest. from 4 overs and Mahendra Mangra 2 for 21.

Public Relations Officer of the Berbice Cricket Board Hilbert Foster, at the presentation ceremony, expressed gratitude to Mr. Srikissoon Ramnanan of Bobcat of Guyana stating that the tournament was a great success; it was put together by the Berbice Cricket Board as part of its developmental programme for players in the New

GFF Referees Committee holds first meeting -general membership to convene on Saturday Members of the recently appointed Referees Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) met for the first time on Thursday last at the federation’s Secretariat, Dadanawa St. Section ‘K’ Campbellville.

Present at the meeting were President (ag.) of the GFF, Mr. Franklin Wilson, who has been identified to serve as Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Lawrence Griffith, Deputy Chairman, Dr. Maxine Parris-Aaron, Mr. Abdullah Hamid, and Mr. Lindley Langhorne, members of the Committee.

Absent was Mr. Carlton Beckles. In attendance at the meeting also were Mr. Roy McArthur, Referees Administrator and Mr. Noel Adonis, General Secretary of the GFF. The initial meeting was convened primarily to

Page 39

acquaint the members of the committee with the roles and responsibilities of the Referees Committee as identified by FIFA, the governing body for the game of football worldwide, and for the Committee to establish a modus operandi for the management and organization of the referees in Guyana.

To that end the meeting addressed a full range of issues pertinent to Referees and Refereeing, including appointment, promotion, demotion, the ongoing registration and classification

of Referees, education and evaluation, among others.

Consequently, the Referees Committee agreed to meet initially on a monthly basis, to coordinate the affairs of the body.

A meeting has also been scheduled with the general membership of the Referees Council on Saturday January 26 at the Ministry of Education’s Sport Complex, Carifesta Avenue, in order to introduce the Referees Committee and to provide opportunity for discussion and interaction.

Amsterdam/Canje area.

Patrons were also complimented for their support.

Foster disclosed that the

Board will be organising tournaments in the different Zones as part of its effort to discover new talent. Young Warriors Universal DVD and

Tucber Park received cash prizes and trophies, while the third place winner and manof-the-match Sanjay Khan received trophies.

Page 40

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 23, 2013

WICB President Hunte thanks St. Lucian public for tremendous support of CT20 GROS-ISLET, St. Lucia – President of the West Indies Cricket Board Dr. Julian Hunte has thanked the cricket loving public of St Lucia for their tremendous support of the recently concluded Caribbean Twenty20 Tournament.

“As President of the WICB I am delighted to have seen the overwhelming support for our regional cricketers and the teams as they battled for the Caribbean T20 trophy,” Dr. Hunte said.

“As a citizen of St. Lucia, I am proud to have seen the thousands of my countrymen and women who turned out in their larger numbers, especially on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.”

Dr. Hunte added: “We regret that on the night of the Grand Final, so many persons turned up to the Beausejour Cricket Ground, but could not get in as tickets were sold out.

“The St Lucian people certainly stepped up to the

plate in a big way, after we saw strong support in Trinidad for the first half of the tournament.

“There can be no doubt about the growing strength of West Indian cricket. The interest has been revived, the passion has resuscitated and we must capitalise on this, as we continue to build and strengthen West Indies cricket.”

Dr. Hunte also made special mention of the very large contingent of Trinidadians who travelled to St. Lucia to support their team.

“Their energy and fervour certainly added to the flavour and atmosphere of the event, and we are heartened to see fans travelling in such large numbers to support their team,” he said.

“Indeed I cannot recall, in all my years of being involved in West Indies cricket, having been witness to such large numbers of supporters travelling from their homeland to support their team in

- says passion for West Indian cricket has fully revived

WICB President Julian Hunte with Windies Women (WICB) regional cricket.”

Dr. Hunte said: “On behalf of the WICB, I must also

expressly commend the St. Lucia National Cricket Association for their critical role in ensuring the event was a success and the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control for their support of the tournament.

“It must be also noted that this year’s CT20 could not have been a success without the essential, willing and decisive support of the Government of St. Lucia, and specifically the ministries of Youth Development and

Sports and Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries and the respective ministers, the Honourable Shawn Edwards and the Honourable Lorne Theophilus along with the St. Lucia Tourist Board.”

This year’s CT20 was played in Trinidad and St. Lucia, and concluded on Sunday evening with defending champions Trinidad & Tobago retaining the title when they defeated Guyana.

Seven regional teams

participated in the marquee WICB regional event. T&T has won the title on three of the four occasions it was played, while Guyana won the first edition in 2010. T&T will represent the West Indies in the Champions League to be played later this year.

Dr. Hunte said that following the conclusion of the final edition of the CT20, he was now looking forward to the Caribbean Premier League taking regional T20 cricket to another level.

NCN Linden Manager elected Jets President - to contest top LABA post National Communication Network (NCN) Linden Branch Manager, Andrew McBean was elected President of the Amelia’s Ward Jets Basketball Club, when that body held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Elections over the weekend.

Jets was recently ranked number one in Linden and with plans to move the club forward, the elections were held to help the club become structured and marketable.

McBean will have Gary Smith as his Vice-President, Swain Ross as Secretary, Dion David as Treasurer and Rawle Toney as the Organising Secretary.

Kevin Joseph, Allister Webster and Sabrina Rampersaud were named as the three committee members.

The newly formed executive will hold its first

Andrew McBean meeting today to plan the way forward and to put proposals from the AGM into perspective. It is their aim to be a model for the other basketball clubs in Linden.

Meanwhile, apart from being at the helm of his club, McBean has publically declared that he will contest the upcoming Linden

Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) elections.

“Being in the sport and seeing what is going on, I think more can be done for the sport,” McBean said, further adding, “I know there is a challenge of available resources and I know that there are people willing to invest in the sport.”

“What I am hoping to do is to provide a more consistent stage for the players to showcase their talent since Linden is a rich basketball community along with developing youths,” he continued in a release from the club yesterday.

The NCN Linden Manager is the only person to step forward so far to express an interest in the post following LABA President, Captain Eon Murray’s resignation.

Wednesday January 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 41

Dream became reality as Dream Boy lands double at Budhan’s horserace meet

Dream Boy connections receiving the feature race trophy

By Anil Bhola Dream Boy showed up his rivals this past Sunday when the Budhan’s Memorial Turf Club held its grand one day horserace meet to start the 2013 Guyana horse racing season.

In the 1 mile feature race, Blessing took an early commanding lead with jockey Rad Drepaul on mount, powering ahead for the first 1000 meters. As the field

angled around the final two turns Dream Boy moved up his position to press for the lead and with a powerful surge the 3 year old colt flew past its opponents and the finish line to win by some 4 lengths ahead of Blessing with Princess Renuka checking in for third.

Earlier, Dream Boy captured the J1 & lower event traveling 6 furlongs from a field of 8 horses with a gate to pole win ahead of Windy

Killer. Modern Cowboy and Its My Time rounded out the top 4 Positions.

The opening J3 Event saw Windy Killer of the B. Crawford Racing Stables with jockey Jason Semple in the saddle taking a commanding lead from start to finish to win ahead of Modern Cowboy.

Pick Pocket was third.

Bright Light with jockey Rodrigues captured the K class race from Champ who was second as Secretariat and

Raging Storm deferred!!

Kwesi ‘Lightening Struck Assassin’ Jones unable to strike following aborted fight

By Michael Benjamin It seems like the ill luck that has been responsible for a prolonged lull in the progression of local light/ heavyweight champion, Kwesi ‘Lightening Struck Assassin’ Jones, has once again bedeviled him following the cancellation of his 10 rounds catchweight encounter against Barbadian, Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox that was slated as the main supporting bout on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s Guyana Fight Night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Friday January 25 next.

Jones was greeted with the dreaded news late yesterday afternoon after the organizers had spoken with Cox’s management team. It appears as though Cox’s

management team had agreed to offset a substantial portion of the expenses affiliated with his participation but efforts to procure the required sum proved futile thus forcing the cancellation of the bout.

Ever since he had knocked out Cleveland Fraser for the local light/heavyweight title, Jones has suffered no less than three aborted contests.

He was scheduled to fight Trinidadian Kurt Sinette but that fight was inexplicably cancelled. He was then gearing up for a showdown against his countryman, Trinidad based Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) heavyweight champion, Shawn Corbin but that bout never materialized after Corbin opted for a CABOFE title fight against Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite. The Cox encounter had brought a

welcome relief to a hungry Jones, up until the devastating news.

Subsequently, the main bout between Mark Austin and Gladwin Dorway over 12 rounds for the local jnr/ middleweight belt, is still on as is the bout between Delon Allicock and Charlton Skeete.

The former boxer is working out at the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym while the latter operates out of the Harpy Eagle’s Boxing Gym, both in Albouystown.

Dorway is on the East Coast at the Five Star Boxing Gym. The night’s opener will witness Berbician, Richard Williamson opposing Orlan Rogers in a 6 rounds super/ bantamweight affair in what has been dubbed as the student (Williamson) versus the teacher (Rogers) affair.

(Continued on page 31)

Ms Carline Crawford receiving The Windy Killer trophy from Guyana Horseracing.com’s Anil Bhola Prince of Peace were third and fourth respectively.

Magaline piloted by Jockey Apadhu won ahead of Master Christopher as Sax Man was third in one of the

two unclassified events. The second one saw Dilian winning from Master Christopher with Nikita third.

The day’s event was witnessed by some 1,500

patrons. Dream Boy was adjudged champion horse as Jockey Rad Drepaul ran away with the jockey honours and Jason Semple settled for the runner up position.